Sophomore Joe Hart Making Waves With British U20 Team

Essex trio bid for Euro basketball glory
(Link to original story)

12:39pm Thursday 4th July 2013 in SportBy Chris Phillips

Romania bound - Joe Lockwood, Rikki Broadmore and Joe Hart are part of the Great Britain under 20 team

A SOUTH East Essex trio will be spearheading Great Britain’s bid for glory at the European Under-20 Basketball Championships in Romania next week.

Shoebury’s Joe Hart and Rayleigh’s Joe Lockwood have both been selected in the 14-man squad, while Canvey’s Rikki Broadmore will also play a key part as the team’s performance analyst.

And Hart, a former St Thomas More School pupil, believes the GB team has what it takes to win the Division B title.

“I was in the squad which finished sixth in these championships last season and I think we’re much stronger this year,” said Hart, 20.

“We’ve played something like seven warm-up matches in the space of 12 days, but it’s been a great schedule and I honestly think we can go to the Championships and win it with the players we have.”

Hart was in the starting five for Great Britain’s latest game, an 87-66 win against Holland, which made it seven successive victories for his side.

Ex-FitzWimarc School pupil Lockwood also played a part in the triumph and, as the youngest member of the squad, he is relishing his first taste of international basketball.

“I really didn’t expect to get in to the squad, so it’s brilliant to be involved and I’m still ecstatic about it all,” said the 18-year-old.

Britain play their first game against the Slovak Republic on Friday, July 12, before also facing Luxembourg, Romania, Poland and Hungary in quick succession.

Morrison Named Assistant Coach With U19 National Team

Lakehead University men's basketball coach Scott Morrison (Morell, PE) will serve once again as an assistant coach with Canada Basketball’s Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) this summer. Last year Morrison was an assistant coach with the U18 JMNT, earning a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas event in Brazil, and a berth in this year's U19 FIBA World Championships in Prague, June 27-July 7.

Says Coach Morrison, "It is a great honor to once again be selected to represent both Lakehead University and my home province of PEI as a member of the Junior National Team. After going into last summer's training camp a little wet behind the ears, I am excited to have a year under my belt and the experience that comes with it." Adds Scott, "I am looking forward to contributing in whatever way I am asked and am proud to help the team reach its goals this summer."

In preparation for the World Championships, the U19 team has a training camp in Toronto from June 8-19, followed by exhibition/training games versus the USA and Brazil in Prague (June 19-26).

At the U19 FIBA World's, Canada will be in Pool A, along with Spain, Croatia and Korea. Coverage of the event shall be available via FIBATV.COM

The U19 Canadian JMNT training camp roster (released yesterday) includes such U18 returnees as Matthew Attewe (Auburn), Tyler Ennis (Syracuse), Trey Lyles (Top Ten 2014 Recruit), Duane Notice (South Carolina), Xavier Ranthan-Mayes (Florida State) and of course the Vaughan, Ontario phenom Andrew Wiggins (Kansas).

Coach Morrison rejoins the JMNT program and continues his journey with head coach Roy Rana (Ryerson), and fellow assistant coach Jamie McNeilly (Marquette). Canadian university veteran coach Steve Konchalski (St.FX) once again serves as the mentor coach, while Jesse Young is the team's apprentice coach.

Morrison, who competes against coach Roy Rana during the OUA regular season, gives respect to his  Canada Basketball coaching colleagues and accepts the opportunity with honor. "We are blessed with a great staff and group of coaches which will make each day a world-class coaching clinic," Morrison says, adding, "We are also fortunate to select from an elite group of young athletes, many of whom arrive with extensive international experience already. I expect that together, coaches and players will form a tight unit that the Canadian basketball community can support with pride."

Links for more info:

Canada Basketball

FIBA U19 World Championships

Sample Perimeter Workout (Off-Season)

Stu Julius to be Inducted into Lakehead Athletics Wall of Fame

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department
www.thunderwolves.ca

2013 Wall of Fame Inductees Announced

June 5, 2013 — Thunder Bay, ON

On the heels of the Class of 2013 convocation, we look forward to commemorating Lakehead student-athletes of days gone by, who are enshrined in the Lakehead University Athletics Wall of Fame. It is with much pride that Lakehead Athletics announces the inductees for 2013.

 

October’s Wall of Fame induction ceremony will mark the 11th such occasion since its inception in 1996, and currently operates on a 2-year cycle, in concert with the annual Homecoming events, which promise to please once again this year.

The Builder inductee honors this year will be presented to Stu Julius, who in his 18 years at Lakehead (1981-1999) coached the women’s basketball team to 2 appearances in the national tournament. He also served as Athletic Director from 1991-1999. Under Julius’ charge the women’s basketball team hosted the national championship tournament 4 times (‘95, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99). While at Lakehead Julius was twice named Ontario Coach of the Year, once named Coach of the Year for the Great Plains Athletic Conference in 1985-86, and compiled a record of 311-250, his teams missing the post season only once.

The Team inductee, representing an era of dominance in their league, is the Women’s Field Hockey team from 1973 through ’76. Coached by Joan Stevenson, this Nor’Wester team were champions of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from ‘73 to ’76, won nearly every game they played, and starred two already-inducted (as individuals) Wall of Famers in Pat Brousseau and Jeannie Tuomi.

The Female inductee is Katya Masun, who was a star basketball player in the mid ‘90s on top of being the ‘96-’97  Female Athlete of the Year.

The Male inductee is wrestler Mark Jodoin, who was a national champion and Canadian University Wrestler of the Year in 1981. He was also the ‘80-’81 Lakehead Male Athlete of the Year.

The induction ceremony will take place in the Hangar, in concert with Homecoming 2013, which will include an exhibition men’s basketball tournament and the traditional Zanatta Alumni Games.

MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.

'Wolves Pick Up Australian Big Man

Australian Giant Joins Lakehead, TWolf Nation Wide Awake

May 3rd, 2013

Basketball - Men's

Recruiting

Author: Hugh Mullally

Head Coach Scott Morrison, along with Lakehead Athletics Director Tom Warden announced Friday the commitment of Brent Wallace, an Australian 7’0” Post, who will join Lakehead University Men’s Basketball in the autumn of 2013.

Australian Brent Wallace, a ‘footer’ in basketball terms, calls Brisbane, Queensland province his home. Wallace is fresh off a 2-month training camp with IMG Academy in Brandenton, FLA. He arrives in Thunder Bay to Lakehead University with 5 years of eligibility remaining.

Wallace, now the tallest bearer of the Thunderwolves Flag, respects the success and integrity of Lakehead Athletics and the Men’s Basketball program, and accepts his role in a Thunderwolves uniform well aware of the team’s goals.

Says Wallace, “I am very excited to play for the Lakehead Thunderwolves and to meet my new teammates. I  want to come in, work hard, try to make an impact with the team straight-away and keep the winning momentum going. I bring a strong focus, work ethic, energy and encouragement to the team and will do whatever I can to help get another shot at a National Championship.”

The basketball faithful of Thunderwolf Nation can certainly breathe a little easier, having graduated 6 seniors this year, including two 6’6” Posts, Matt Schmidt and Yoosrie Salhia.

Says Morrison, “We are very happy to welcome Brent to our basketball family at Lakehead.  With his size and determination to improve, he has an unlimited ceiling for improvement and our coaching staff is looking forward to working hard with him to reach that potential. Having the the opportunity to meet with Brent and his parents in Brisbane, I know we are getting a player of high character from an excellent and supportive family. Everyone is very excited about this addition to our already strong recruiting class.”

The Thunderwolves now have a response to other elite CIS teams’ size at the Centre position. Lakehead’s CIS opponents have plied such size against Lakehead during their current 4-year CIS Final 8 run, despite Lakehead troughing its way through the waves of CIS powerhouses from East to West.

It’s no coincidence shipping in Thunder Bay has been booming. Let the fog horn blow, we got a big one coming in. The ship that Lakehead Basketball has been waiting for may have arrived, and not a moment too soon. One notable 'footer' to play for Lakehead Basketball is Jim Zoet (1976-78).

MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 631-3428, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.

Carter, Salhia & Jones Pick Up Major Hardware at LU Banquet

Media Release
Lakehead University Athletics Department
www.thunderwolves.ca

Thunderwolf Awards Presented With Pride and Fanfare

April 10, 2013 — Thunder Bay, ON

The Annual Athletics' Awards were presented yesterday in the Agora to best and bravest Thunderwolves of the 2012-13 season.

Athlete of the Year honors were given to Andrea Lee (Nordic Skiing) and Greg Carter (Basketball).

Lee skied to much success both at the Provincial (OUA) and National (CCUNC) levels, on top of representing Canada at the U23 Championships internationally.

Carter concludes his historic Lakehead career as the best defensive player of his era, having repeated this year as the CIS Defensive MVP, and achieving his 4th straight OUA Defensive MVP award. He is also the winningest Thunderwolf in Lakehead Basketball history, with 100 career wins.

Dylan Brown (Cross Country Running) took Male Rookie of the Year honors, having been the CIS Rookie of the Year and being an All-Canadian to boot.

Emma Horner (Wrestling) was named Female Rookie of the Year after a successful season, nabbing an OUA Bronze medal.

Joseph Jones (Basketball) finishes his illustrious career winning the Hank Akervall Award for his service to both to Lakehead University and the community of Thunder Bay.

Yoosrie Salhia (Basketball) was honored with the Argus Award for his career accomplishments, most notably being the rock upon which the current Lakehead Men's Basketball powerhouse was built. The current era (led by 6 graduating seniors) concluded with a CIS Silver medal.

All individual team awards are listed below.

VARSITY AWARDS 2012-13 
     
Men's Basketball    
Rookie of the Year    Joe Hart (South Essex, Eng.)
Most Improved Player    Joseph Nitychoruk (Winnipeg, Man.)
Best Defensive Player    Greg Carter (Ottawa, Ont.)
Most Valuable Player    Ryan Thomson (Oakville, Ont.)
Most Valuable Player    Yoosrie Salhia (Toronto, Ont.)
        
Major Award Winners

Hank Akervall Award    Joseph Jones (Washington, DC)
Argus Award    Yoosrie Salhia (Toronto, Ont.)
     
Female Freshman of the Year    Emma Horner (St Joseph Island, Ont.)
Male Freshman of the Year    Dylan Brown (Newmarket, Ont.

Female Athlete of the Year    Andrea Lee (Black Creek, BC)
Male Athlete of the Year    Greg Carter (Ottawa, Ont.)

MEDIA:  For more information, or to request an interview, please contact Lakehead Sports Information Director, Hugh Mullally, at (807) 766-7157, or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca.

Thunderwolves Officially Announce Recent Recruiting Committments

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2013
Thunderwolves Count Four New Studs in Mackenzie, Bell, Hearn and LebovTHUNDER BAY, ON -

Lakehead University Athletics is pleased to announce the commitment of four highly touted players to the men’s basketball program for the 2013-14 season. Coach Scott Morrison has confirmed the commitment of:

Nolan Mackenzie (Oakville, Ont.)5’11” Point Guard

Josh Bell (Mississauga, Ont.)6’2” Shooting Guard

Mitchell Hearn (Mount Carmel, Nfld.)5’10” Shooting Guard

Igor Lebov (Toronto, Ont.)6’5” Forward

“I can’t say enough about our recruiting class to this point,” remarks Coach Morrison. “Following a plan for several seasons now, we have sought out players who have a high ceiling, strong work ethic and outstanding character,” said Coach Scott Morrison, who adds, “All of these young men are sound academically and even stronger as people, and we are proud to welcome them to our basketball family here in Thunder Bay.”

After earning a CIS silver medal in March, the Thunderwolves look to reload after losing 6 seniors to graduation following their record-setting season. Mackenzie, Bell, Hearn and Lebov will join previously committed class members Henry Tan and Jamar Coke on the 2013-14 roster. Coach Morrison and his staff expect to announce additional frontcourt commitments over the coming weeks.

Nolan Mackenzie led his Holy Trinity Titans to a 4^th place finish in the current ‘AAAA’ OFSAA season, including several tournament titles and all-star recognitions along the way.  Renowned for his deceptive athleticism, consistent shooting and being a student of the game, MacKenzie recently ranked #8 among Canadian HS point guards.

Josh Bellis a 6’2” wing player out of Father Henry Carr HS, where he helped the Crusaders to a ‘AAAA’ OFSAA Silver medal in the 2013, and is a former Team Ontario member. Bell is a strong guard with potential as a scorer and defender at the CIS level. Bell was ranked in the top 20 of all Canadian HS shooting guards by HoopStars Canada.

Mitchell Hearnis a 5’10” guard from the St Catherine’s Academy Eagles in Mount Carmel Nfld.  He has starred for his provincial team and has helped lead his small school in Mount Carmel to the Nfld provincial championships.  HoopStarsCanada.com ranked Hearn in the Top 40 guards in Canada.

Igor Lebov, a 6’5” swingman, rounds out the spring commitments to the Thunderwolves. Lebov arrives at Lakehead after playing 2 years of NCAA ball with Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Lebov is a strong, athletic wing who played his high school basketball with the famed Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, ME.