Weekly Preview

Final Home Weekend of the Season

This weekend is the final basketball home weekend of the season for Memorial as they host the University of New Brunswick in a weekend series at the Field House on Saturday and Sunday. The games will be very important for both teams. The women are hoping to gain some separation from St. FX for second place in the conference, which comes with a quarterfinal bye at the AUS championships. The men are looking to turn the corner, and potentially get back in the playoff hunt against a UNB team that is in a similar situation. In a special presentation during the men’s game on Saturday night the winner of the 2010 Frank Butler Scholarship winner will announced.

Women’s Basketball
This weekend is an important one for the Sea~Hawks as they are in a fight with St. FX for second place in the conference. With a big eight points on the line this weekend the Sea~Hawks can gain some separation with big wins. The games will also be the last home contests of senior Erin Mullaley’s varsity career. Mullaley has been a part of three conference champions and a CIS bronze medal winning team in 2007-08. The fan favorite will be hoping to finish her distinguished career with a pair of wins.

Despite their 7-10 record, the Varsity Reds have shown flashes of brilliance this season. Their most impressive win came last weekend when they pulled out the 87-86 overtime win against the previously undefeated CBU Capers. In the second of the double header against Cape Breton, UNB were competitive once again losing only 72-67 to the best team in the AUS. With the Sea~Hawks in a battle for second place in the AUS, this weekend’s games are crucial for Doug Partridge’s team if they want to stay in the playoff bye position.
Much of the Red’s recent success has come from the play of forward Amanda Sharpe. The fourth year star erupted for 36 points, 8 boards, and 2 blocks in the win against CBU and has been averaging 25.5 points per game over the Red’s past four contests.

The inside-outside threat of Emma Russell cannot be ignored if the Sea~Hawks want to secure a win this weekend. The third year forward is third in the AUS in rebounding at 7.6 per game but is also a specialist from three-point range. UNB is first in the AUS in three-point percentage coming into this weekend.
This past weekend was a major test for the ‘Hawks; splitting the series in a pair of very hard fought battles against Acadia. Second year Grace Fishbein was a major contributor for the Sea~Hawks in the clutch over the weekend as she converted on timely free throws and scored a driving layup with 4 seconds left in to give Memorial the eventual win. The team looks to carry this momentum back home and keep up the intensity for a full forty minutes against the Reds.

The front line of Fishbein, Thistle, and Forsey were fantastic over the weekend and will be the key to taking control early against a rebounding troubled team like the Reds.

Games start at 6pm Saturday with the final home game of the season on Sunday at 11am. Come cheer on the ‘Hawks as they take to the Field House court one last time for the 2009-2010 season.

Men’s Basketball
The Sea~Hawks will play their final home series this weekend as they take on the UNB Varsity Reds. Despite some of the challenges the team has faced in recent weeks they remain optimistic heading into this weekend.

The Varsity Reds come into the weekend with a 1-14 record, placing them two points behind the ‘Hawks who are at 1-13, with their win being worth four points. With eight points available in the standings a weekend sweep by either team would vault them right in the playoff hunt for the sixth and final spot in the AUS. UPEI are currently 3-10 and are in fifth place. The Sea~Hawks will need a huge home court advantage to give them a sixth man on a weekend that could be a turning point for the program.

The Sea~Hawks should have opportunities in transition as the Reds come into the weekend last in the AUS in defensive and offensive rebounding. However, they have the top statistical rebounder in the conference in Alex DesRoches (9.6 rpg). The Reds also come into this weekend with the second worst defense in the AUS, look for slashers Jason Shepherd and Robbie Habib to attack the basket whenever possible.

UNB will look to senior Mike Anderson to carry much of the scoring load this weekend. A top ten scorer in the AUS, Anderson has been hot as of late, averaging 19.3 points per game in his last 3 games.

Jason Shepherd had a solid weekend versus Cape Breton two weekends ago , including a 32 point, 6 assist explosion in the second match of the double header. Look for rookies Mike Helsby and Justin Grainger to pick up their play this weekend after having disappointing outings against the Capers.

Come out and support the Sea~Hawks as they take to their home court at the Field House for the last time in the 2009-2010 season. Tip off times are Saturday at 8pm with Sunday’s action starting at 1pm.