Sunday, March 3, 2013
Feature on Joseph Jones by Neate Sager
Lakehead Thunderwolves’ Joseph Jones goes from Good Samaritan to saviour
Lakehead University's Joseph Jones led his team to a CIS Final 8 berth on Saturday (RM Photo)
TORONTO — In the last month, Joseph Jones has pulled a woman out of a car crash and kept the Lakehead Thunderwolves' finest senior class wrecking their final season.
The deeds don't compare, since real life is on a higher plane than sports. But finding out what the Thunderwolves fifth-year guard did a few weeks ago before seeing him sink a game-high 23 points Saturday when Lakehead, with leading scorer Ryan Thomson on crutches watching, beat the Windsor Lancers 78-64 in the Ontario University Athletics bronze-medal game? That kind of works on a couple levels.
On Feb. 9, Jones was driving in Thunder Bay with his mind on the Thunderwolves' game a few hour laters. It was a big one: rival Windsor in tone, playoff implications and Senior Night for he and five other fifth-year 'Wolves. His dad, Gilbert Lowery, and his junior college coach, Benny Edison, had both made the trip north. Then the Landover, Md., native saw a woman driving behind him go into a skid.
"I guess she overcorrected her steering," Jones recalled after Lakehead beat Windsor to reach the Canadian Interunivesity Sport Final 8 men's basketball championship for the fourth season in a row. "The next thing I know I saw her car take off into a ditch and do a couple flips and landed upside down. I pulled over and sprinted over there. It was instinct. No person would not want to be helped. So I rushed over there. I did what I could. I kept her calm until the police arrived. She was upside-down. We said, 'do you want to try to get out?' So the cop and I helped her out of the car."
The story might have ended there with Jones giving an eyewitness account to an Ontario Provincial Police officer. He played later that night. But the woman, who wasn't identified in the media and evidently didn't realize the person who came to her aid is a big man on campus, wanted to give thanks.
As Lakehead's campus paper The Argus reported, she posted a video on Facebook of Jones giving a statement to police, with the message, "This guy stayed with me while I was trapped upside down in my car, hysterically waiting for help. He kept me calm while we waited, and also helped me explain to our friendly OPP what happened."
"Would love to find this guy in the video to thank him,” she added.
Of course, the first law of Facebook is even if you might not wish to be singled out for something, you will be.
"I definitely didn’t feel like a hero," says Jones. "I felt like that was what any good human should do when you see someone in need. Initially, I didn’t even know there was a video of it. Everyone was texting me and calling me: ‘this lady is looking for you.’ I was like, ‘what are you talking about?’ This was like two or three days later. And they were like, ‘go on Facebook, I’ve shared the video.’ About 12 people had posted it on my wall."
Saturday, Jones was equally loath to take credit for Lakehead bouncing back from a 21-point semifinal loss against Carleton one night earlier. With Thomson out, though, he was the only experienced shooter handy. Once he started hitting, while sacrificing his lean 6-foot-2 frame under the boards, it seemed to spread. The Thunderwolves shot better than 50 per cent from the field — 29 of 56, plus eight triples. That was double their efficiency from 24 hours earlier, when they were 14 of 57 from the floor against Carleton. Led by Jones, they reached deep to make sure the most accomplished core to come through Lakehead in decades did not go out on two losses in a row.
"Before the game I wrote four words on the board," said Lakehead coach Scott Morrison, who recruited Jones out of Howard (Md.) Community College four years ago. "We didn’t talk much about X-and-Os. I wrote: ‘Toughness, confidence, teamwork and effort.’ I told them that for the majority of their careers, they’ve led the country in all four of those categories. I believe Carleton is the only team with more wins than us.
"I knew J.J. was going to come play today," Morrison added. "He got hot early and everyone started to buy in."
That fed into everything else. It was a tight five-point margin at half since Windsor was getting extra possessions thanks to its rebounding and 13 Lakehead turnovers. But the Wolves began feeling the flow. They gave it away only four more times after the break, with Jones hitting a big dagger three midway through the fourth quarter that took the lead out to 18. That was where Windsor was wanting.
"They got some confidence early and went from there," Lancers coach Chris Oliver said. "We had a lot of guys turn down shots early and it had the opposite effect. Nobody ever played free on offence."
Jones hasn't met many shots he didn't like. With a shooter such as him, the true test is how he reacts when it's not falling. On Senior Night, Morrison told the Lakehead faithful about what happened in 2009 when he first watched Jones in person. The ambitious young coach, who has resurrected the Thunderwolves by recruiting in the U.S., had gone to to the Washington, D.C., area on a tip from Edison, who was a contemporary of during their playing days in the Maritimes. (Edison's juco program is a bit of a pipeline north, since Cape Breton Capers star Jimmy Dorsey also played at Howard.)
Morrison then watched Jones miss shot after shot in practice.
"We needed everything because we were a bad team at that time," said Morrison. "And we were looking for guys with strong character and strong work ethic.
"That day I saw what everyone sees now with J.J. — he bricked his first 20 shots. He was getting a little frustrated, but he showed a lot of character, won a lot of the drills, 100 per cent. Then he was one of the most mature and nicest guys I have ever taken out for a recruiting meal. Sometimes when you’re recruiting in the States you’re looking for second chance guys or guys who can’t get a Division I scholarship. Sometimes there’s some baggage or reasons. But JJ’s never let me down."
Four years later, Jones is set to graduate in concurrent education from LU. He says he's mulling pursuing teaching or working in the correctional system. The latter sounds like a way to pay forward
"I like working with youth," he says. "I feel like the youth really respond to me." On Saturday, Lakehead responded to him, and that's why their season will go on.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.
4th Straight Final 8 For Thunderwolves
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2013
T-Wolves Light Up Lancers, Win 78-64, Earn CIS Final 8 Berth
TORONTO, ON -
The men's basketball team were not to be denied on Saturday, winning 78-64 against the Windsor Lancers. With the win they are awarded the OUA Bronze medal and a berth at the CIS Final 8 tournament in Ottawa next weekend.
Joseph Jones buoyed the 'Wolves hopes in the first, scoring 13 pts with 3 rebounds and 2 steals in 12 minutes of play. Jones would finish with 23 points (8-15 shooting), 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists and 1 T/O in 27 minutes of play. For his exceptional efforts he was named the Porter Player of the Game.
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In the second half Lakehead's offence would pick up its pace, and take much better care of the basketball (only 4 T/O's in 2nd half). After out-scoring the Lancers 23-17 in the 3rd Q, Lakehead would hold an 11 point advantage that was never seriously threatened, despite the best efforts of OUA West Player of the Year Lien Phillip. Phillip finished 4-14 from the field (6-6 FT) for 15 points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes to lead the Lancers.
Late in the third the Lancers ran an isolation 1-on-1 play for Phillip at the top of the key with Lakehead captain Yoosrie Salhia guarding him. It would be the defining defensive stand for Lakehead, as Yoosrie stuck to the rangy 6'8" Windsor center and sent his turn-around jumper aside with one swat of his hand, and hauled down the rebound. Add to that Salhia dribbling the ball from the baseline over the timeline, a sequence of plays that were possibly a career first.
Lakehead stretched the lead to 70-50 with 6:37 remaining in the game and would cruise from there.
After Jones, top T-Wolf scorer was Dwayne Harvey with 14 pts (5-8 shooting), 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 33 minutes. Ben Johnson put up 11 points (3-7 3FG) with 5 rebounds. Leading Lakehead above the opposing trees was Matt Schmidt, grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds with 4 pts. Joe Hart (Southend, UK) put up 9 points (3-5 FG, 2-3 FT).
Following Phillip, Rotimi Osuntola Jr. scored 13 pts, and Ismar Seferagic had 10 pts in the loss.
Windsor shot 22-69 (32%) from the field, compared to Lakehead's 29-56 (52%). Windsor kept their hopes alive with offensive rebounding, grabbing 15 on the game. Both teams shot poorly from the free throw line (Lakehead 57%, Windsor 60%).
Coach Scott Morrison:
"I was extremely proud of our basketball team today. After yesterday's poor showing the guys had a lot of reasons to be down. However our true strengths as a team shone through today in the form of a big heart, excellent teamwork and the confidence that should come from winning as many big games as this group has won over the years. Add one more to that list."
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Stay tuned for CIS Final 8 seeding information, to be determined early Sunday evening. Following that Lakehead's schedule will be set for the weekend, with their first game sometime Friday, March 8th at Scotia Bank Place in Kanata, Ont.
Hugh Mullally
Sports Information Director
Lakehead University Athletics
Office: 807 766 7157
Fax: (807) 343-8203
Saturday, March 2, 2013
#7 LU Falls to #1 Carleton... Face Windsor Tomorrow With Season On-The-Line
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013
T-Wolves Dropped 72-51 by Ravens
TORONTO, ON -
The men's basketball team were defeated by the Carleton Ravens on Friday evening, 72-51.
Sophomore Joseph Nitychoruk provided most of what little offence came in the second quarter, as Lakehead was stuck at 8 points from the 0:50 second mark of the first quarter until the 5:07 mark of the second with a free throw. Nitychoruk followed that one made free throw with 4 more straight, thanks to some hustle on the offensive glass.
Despite Lakehead's offence looking like a Pinto pulling a train, Carleton's Ferrari looked like it was in need of a tune up as well, as the Ravens shot 25% in the 2nd Q, going 4-16 from the field.
Halftime score was 30-16 Carleton.
The Ravens did pull themselves loose of the T-Wolves' defensive grip in the third quarter, nearly doubling their score and scoring 23 in the Q. Lakehead did pick up its production, if only slightly, scoring 12 points and trailing 53-28 after 30 minutes.
The fourth quarter was inconsequential, with Lakehead finishing with 2 fewer points scored than the last time they played Carleton, although they limited the Ravens to 22 fewer points than during their November 23 match-up in Ottawa.
Yoosrie Salhia saw limited minutes in the first half, and only a couple in the second half once the Ravens began pulling away. It will be his energy stores that will likely be called upon in tomorrow's bronze medal game.
It was the 'Three Joes' doing above average damage for Lakehead, led by Joe Jones with 15 points, while Joey Nitychoruk had 12 points and 5 rebounds and Joe Hart had 8 points. Dwayne Harvey finished with 5 points and 6 rebounds.
For the Ravens, Phillip Scrubb led with 15 points and 5 assists, while Tyson Hinz scored 14 points with 9 rebounds. Clinton Springer-Williams put up a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Coach Scott Morrison:
"I was happy with our defensive effort for most of the game. That said I thought some of our guys played scared and it showed in the form of horrendous shooting and poor turnovers in the first half. There is nothing to be gained from hanging our heads. We have to get locked in on tomorrow's opponent and claim a CIS Final 8 berth."
Lakehead will play at 4pm tomorrow afternoon against the loser of the Windsor-Ottawa game being played this evening.
Hugh Mullally
Sports Information Director
Lakehead University Athletics
Office: 807 766 7157
Fax: (807) 343-8203
Friday, March 1, 2013
Carter Wins 4th Straight OUA Defensive Player of the Year
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013
Carter Awarded Record 4th Straight Defensive POY
THUNDER BAY, ON -
Lakehead's 5th year senior Greg Carter (Ottawa, ON) was awarded the OUA West's Defensive Player of the Year for a record-breaking 4th consecutive season. Other major award winners are listed below.
Last season the Ottawa native was awarded the CIS Defensive Player of the Year honour, marking the first time a Lakehead athlete has won the award since the award's inception in 2005. The Thunderwolves’ guard helped lead Lakehead to the best defence in the OUA West, surrendering just 68.5 points per game. He finished second in OUA with 45 steals for an average of 2.1 steals per game.
Carter hopes to lead his team to a 4th consecutive CIS Final 8 tournament, with his team's fate hanging in the balance this weekend at the Wilson Cup Final Four. The top 3 teams from the Wilson Cup tournament will advance. Lakehaed takes on Carleton this evening, and Ottawa or Windsor tomorrow.
2012-13 OUA MEN’S BASKETBALL WEST DIVISION MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Player of the Year: Lien Phillip – Windsor
Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Carter – Lakehead
Rookie of the Year: Rohan Boney – McMaster
Ken Shields Award: Dan McCarthy – Guelph
Coach of the Year: Chris Oliver – Windsor
Player of the Year: Lien Phillip – Windsor
Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Carter – Lakehead
Rookie of the Year: Rohan Boney – McMaster
Ken Shields Award: Dan McCarthy – Guelph
Coach of the Year: Chris Oliver – Windsor
2012-13 OUA MEN’S BASKETBALL EAST DIVISION MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Player of the Year: Phil Scrubb – Carleton
Defensive Player of the Year: Thomas Scrubb – Carleton
Rookie of the Year: Sukhpreet Singh – Queen’s
Ken Shields Award: Kevin Churchill – Carleton
Coach of the Year: Dave Smart – Carleton
Player of the Year: Phil Scrubb – Carleton
Defensive Player of the Year: Thomas Scrubb – Carleton
Rookie of the Year: Sukhpreet Singh – Queen’s
Ken Shields Award: Kevin Churchill – Carleton
Coach of the Year: Dave Smart – Carleton
'Wolves Place Two on OUA West 1st Team
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2013
Lakehead Men's Basketball Awarded 2 All-Stars, 1 All-Rookie
HAMILTON, ON -
(With files from OUA)
The OUA announced today their list of All-Stars and All-Rookie team for the 2012-13 season. Yoosrie Salhia and Ryan Thomson were both named as first team All-Stars, while Joe Hart was recognized on the All-Rookie team. The OUA's major award winners will be announced tomorrow, March 1, at the Wilson Cup awards breakfast in Toronto.
For the first time in program history, two members of the Lakehead Thunderwolves have been named OUA first team all-stars. Despite not playing in the final game of the season, fifth-year forward Yoosrie Salhia still led the league with 32 blocks, five more than the next closest competition. The Toronto native also grabbed 207 boards, good enough for second best in the OUA (behind Windsor's Lien Phillip with 222 rebounds) and was second in team scoring with 12.6 points per game. This is first recognition on the OUA first team after being named a second team all-star in 2009-10 and an all-rookie in 2008-09.
Fourth-year forward Ryan Thomson (Oakville, ON) led the Thunderwolves with 14.4 points per game, shooting 43.6 percent from beyond the arc. This is Thomson’s first league honour since being named an all-rookie in 2009-10.
Joe Hart (Southend, England) made the All-Rookie squad, shooting 94% from the free throw line this season and 35% from the 3-point line (31-88), accumulating 141 points so far this season.
2012-13 OUA MEN’S WEST ALL-STARS
FIRST TEAM
Lien Phillip – Windsor
Yoosrie Salhia – Lakehead
Ryan Thomson – Lakehead
Taylor Black – McMaster
Maxwell Allin – Laurier
SECOND TEAM
Enrico Diloreto – Windsor
Josh Collins – Windsor
Joe Rocca – McMaster
Dan McCarthy – Guelph
Mark Gibson – Brock
ALL-ROOKIES
Rohan Boney – McMaster
Matt Chesson – Laurier
Joe Hart – Lakehead
Isaack Egueh – Brock
George Johnson – Western
Hugh Mullally
Sports Information Director
Lakehead University Athletics
Office: 807 766 7157
Fax: (807) 343-8203
LU Opens OUA Final Four Vs #1 Carleton
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2013
Thunderwolves Take on Ravens in Game 1 of Wilson Cup Final Four
THUNDER BAY, ON -
Upon qualifying for the Wilson Cup Final Four, the men's basketball team have come up against the titan of CIS Men's Basketball, the Carleton Ravens. The two teams will do battle on Friday evening at 6pm ET, with live coverage provided by The Score Television Network.
The Wilson Cup Final Four is being hosted by Ryerson University in the beautiful Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Along with the Ravens and Thunderwolves, the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Windsor Lancers are also in the mix, with the top 3 finishers being awarded a berth at the CIS Final 8 next weekend in Ottawa.
Although a daunting task has been presented to the Thunderwolves, this group has proven its resiliency in the past, and are unwavering in their efforts to contend for another Wilson Cup, having captured their first one 2 years ago, with many of the same personnel still in uniform who raised Wilson after beating Carleton in 2011.
One of those is Yoosrie Salhia, who was announced as an OUA West 1st Team All-Star earlier today, along with defensive specialist Greg Carter (Ottawa, ON), who would like nothing more than to send a message to the Ravens on Friday. Another from the championship team is Ryan Thomson, who also made the OUA West 1st All-Star Team, but whose status heading into the weekend is shaky at best following an injury last weekend versus McMaster.
With Thomson on the mend, it will be up to the Thunderwolves' supporting cast to make it happen this weekend, which is an act they are not unfamiliar with. Matthew Schmidt (Thunder Bay, ON) has proven on multiple occasions he is capable of providing not only outside scoring, but also an active body in the lane and on the glass. Traditional 6th man Joseph Jones (Washington, DC) is also ready to step up and make plays, and reserve forward Brendan King (Petawawa, ON) (who recently got off the injured list) has the body and will to be an effective rebounder when called upon.
Guard Ben Johnson (Pictou, NS) and Dwayne Harvey (Hamilton, ON) have also picked up their games in the past month after having consistency issues earlier in the season, and OUA All-Rookie Joe Hart (Southend, UK) is another outside weapon to fill the void left by Thomson.
The Ravens, meanwhile, have no shortage of individual talent (Brothers Phillip and Thomas Scrubb, Tyson Hinz, and Clinton Springer-Williams to name a few) but what makes them so tough is their ability to move, score and defend as a single unit. If Lakehead can create some disruption in their seemingly 'un-fazable' system of execution, there is a chance for contention.
As coach Scott Morrison explains, slowing down the Ravens' transition game and controlling the boards is only the beginning:
Live coverage of the games will be provided by The Score Television Network
Follow courtside tweets @LakeheadSID
Schedule of Events:
March 1
Carleton Ravens vs. Lakehead Thunderwolves 6:00 PM (Live)
Windsor Lancers vs. Ottawa Gee-Gees 8:00 PM (Aired at 10pm on tape delay)
March 2
Bronze Medal game 16:00 PM (live)
Gold Medal game 18:00 PM (live)
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