REGULAR SEASON
| EAST | WEST | ||||||||
| Toronto | 10-2 | 23-13 | Ken Olynyk | Western | 11-3 | 23-6 | Craig Boydell | ||
| York | 9-3 | 19-12 | Bob Bain | McMaster | 11-3 | 27-11 | Joe Raso | ||
| Laurentian | 9-3 | 18-10 | Peter Campbell | Guelph | 10-4 | 22-10 | Tim Darling | ||
| Ryerson | 6-6 | 13-21 | Terry Haggerty | Brock | 9-5 | 16-14 | Ken Murray | ||
| Carleton | 3-9 | 6-23 | Paul Armstrong | Lakehead | 6-8 | 8-16 | Lou Pero | ||
| Queen’s | 3-9 | 5-21 | Doug Aitchison | Waterloo | 5-9 | 13-16 | Tom Kieswetter | ||
| Ottawa | 2-10 | 6-23 | Jack Eisenmann | Windsor | 3-11 | 7-13 | Mike Havey | ||
| Wilfrid Laurier | 1-13 | 5-21 | Gary Jeffries | ||||||
In December 1995, the Ontario east division proposed an interlocking schedule with the west. The proposal was voted down, so convener Liz Hoffman led the league to negotiate an interlocking schedule with Quebec. The West resisted largely because of increased travel costs and the spreading of revenues earned from a television contract with CHCH-TV in Hamilton.
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Carleton Ravens: Andy Stewart, Bob Tierney, Mohammed Ibrahim, Brian Russell, Jason Barton, Kevin Malcolm, Andrew Smith, Shane Elliott, Mike Badger, Terry Vilayil, Luca Diaconsecu, Joseph Poole, Jack Zeilenga, coach Paul Armstrong, assistant Andy Cheam, assistant Andi Diaconsecu, assistant Andy Waterman
Ottawa Gee-Gees: Ibrahim Tounkara, David Reid, Kevin Bakker, Matt Fleming, Antonio Williams, John Boccabella, Jon Addy, Erik Edwards, Renaud Beland, Dan Gidden, Pierre Dupuis, Rob Lawlor, Timothy Reid-Grafton, coach Jack Eisenmann, assistant Bill Arden, assistant Clarence Porter, assistant Carlos Brown
Queen’s Golden Gaels: Peter Stelter, Ian Brisbin, Derek Richardson, Brendan Byrne, Mark McHenry, Mike Gleeson, Stevan Beara, Mike McLean, John Purdy, Duane Brousmiche, Bob Cook, Pat Gleeson, Linas Underys, Rob Sharrard, coach Doug Aitchison
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks: Saeed Al-Naji, Eric Angevine, Stephan Barrie, Mike Danielson, Mike Grozelle, Andreas Hofer, Pete Kratz, Dave Moore, Dan Pace, Bob Papadimitriou, Andrew Scharschmidt, Jay Spencer, Aaron St. Hill, Stuart Tait, Jim Toole, Corwin Troje, Andrew Vlasman, Adam Warmuth, Jason Warren, Tony Weis, coach Gary Jeffries
Windsor Lancers: Sefu Bernard, Mike Cassone, Pat McGlynn, Todd Fuller, Mike Russell, Mark Cassone, Earl Grant, Mark Baggio, Mark Koppeser, Chet Wydrzynski, Geoff Stead, Chad Colquhoun, Matt McMillan, Geoff Rekstis, Caine Baldassi, coach Mike Havey, assistant Wayne Curtin, assistant Shawn O’Rourke, assistant Tim Elcombe, student therapist Kevin Milne, manager Jodie Ferguson
In the East semis, top-seeded Toronto defeated 4th-seeded Ryerson 102-82 as Jason Gopaul scored 23. “We started a new tradition: pasta before the game at my place,” Gopaul told the Varsity. “Now I think we’re 4 and 0 [since we started].” Blues coach Ken Olynyk said “I thought we took advantage in all aspects of the game. We had good transition, we had good situations in the half-court where we had good looks at the basket. Defensively, we handled their screens and we did a good job. I think we were well-prepared for the game, and more importantly, because we were prepared, we executed.” The Blues broke to an 18-10 lead and the put the outcome well out of Ryerson’s reach with a 15-0 run. They led 48-22 at the half and romped, easily staving off a 17-8 Rams run in the second half. “We just didn’t let them in it,” said Lars Dressier. “We were shooting really well the first half. That gets them frustrated, we keep scoring, and they can’t get back in.” Dressler notched 14 for the Blues. Twin brother Jason Dressler scored 15, while notching 9 boards, 4 blocks and 5 steals, Eddy Meguerian 15, along with 8 boards and 8 assists, and Carl Swantee 11. The Blues shot .550 from the floor and 9-16 from the arc, while Ryerson shot .430 from the floor and 3-13 from the arc. The Rams outrebounded Toronto 39-38. The Rams (coached by Terry Haggerty) included Scott Belasco; Carl Harper, Marvin Johnson, Chris Szarka, Rowan Jones, Kevin Morton, Radcliffe Golbourne, Duncan Prescott, Michael Chisholm, Kevin Vieneer, Godfrey Hunte, Robert Armstrong, Jay McNeilly, Nolan Bentley and Dave Petropolous.
In the other East semi, 3rd-seeded Laurentian defeated 2nd-seeded York 76-66. The Yeomen (coached by Bob Bain, assisted by Mike Quigley and Charlie Simpson) included Byron Nugent, Wilton Hall, Nathan Aryev, Jason Crichton, Peter Simons, Alex Barbier, Kevin Diedrick, John Poulimenos, Vic Fantin, Dwight MacFarlane, David Fischer, Nick Chatzinikolis, John Lewis and Darren Hylton.
In the East final, top-seeded Toronto nipped 3rd-seeded Laurentian 71-68. The Blues led 41-40 at the half but the Voyageurs forged ahead by three with three minutes to play. Carl Swantee responded with a free throw and Jason Dressler notched a bucket to tie the score. A free throw by Andrew Rupf and a pair by Swantee proved the difference down the stretch. “It was an intense last few points,” Rupf told the Varsity. “They played well and it was not an easy game to win.” Assistant John Robb said experience proved the difference. “This year’s squad is a lot more mature. Last year [in the same situation] they would have been a little more rattled. They kept their composure and made the shots when they counted.” Swantee led the Blues with 18. Eddy Meguerian added 14 and Rupf 13.
In the West quarterfinals, 5th-seeded Lakehead defeated 4th-seeded Brock 75-68 as Andrews scored 19, Craig Law 15, O’Brien 14, Zoffranieri 10, Rodriguez 8, Bradshaw 5 and Moorhouse 4. The Nor’westers hit 29-62 from the floor, 7-17 from the arc and 10-19 from the line, while garnering 55 boards, 17 assists, 22 turnovers and 17 fouls. Brock trailed 65-57 with 3:40 to play but David Picton nailed three consecutive treys as the Badgers rallied within one. Law told the St. Catharines Standard that “I think we wanted it more than they did. They expected it and we didn’t.” Pat Palmieri paced the Badgers with 27, while nabbing 14 boards. David Picton added 21, along with 11 assists, Jamie Clark 6, Matt Saris 6, Jamie Micelli 3, Ryan Fabi 3 and Dan Schwarz 2. The Badgers hit 28-82 from the floor, 6-24 from the arc and 8-16 from the line, while garnering 45 boards, 16 assists, 22 turnovers and 16 fouls. Badgers coach Ken Murray said “that’s as dismal as it gets. Here you think they guys would be a little motivated, a little pumped and we were flatter than a pancake. We did absolute nothing – nothing. … I’m lost for words. I don’t what to say in a situation like this. I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of my eyes.” The Badgers (coached by Ken Murray) also included Kevin Johnson, Sam Fuca, Neil Paris, Steve Piekny, Petrie and Martin Hajek.
In the other West quarterfinal, 6th-seeded Waterloo defeated 3rd-seeded Guelph 69-57. The Warriors went on a 15-2 run to put away the Gryphons with 2 minutes left in the game. After a tight first half led by Waterloo 33-29, the Warriors pulled ahead 47-33 after a 14-2 run early in the second half. Guelph fought back to trail 49-45 with only nine minutes left but that was as close at it got down the stretch. Mark Hopkins and Mike Stroeder led Waterloo (coached by Tom Kieswetter) with 15 points. Hopkins added 9 boards and 4 blocks. Matt Williams notched 12, all on treys. Mano Watsa added 8 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals, and 10 assists. “We’ve looked like underachievers this season, and we look like overachievers now,” Warriors coach Tom Kieswetter told the Imprint. “Which one we are, I don’t know. But we’re headed in the right direction. … We played our best ball of the season. We executed our game plan, but more importantly, we played with emotion, fire, passion.” Hopkins told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that “I still think it’s everyone who contributed to the win. I wouldn’t feel right without giving due credit. My teammates put the ball inside and that’s the toughest pass in the game.” Paul Eldridge led the Gryphons with 12 points. Alex Brainis added 10. Gryphons coach Tim Darling said “they were more aggressive and they executed. The officials let them play a certain (physical) style in the key. We looked like Mighty Mouse trying to defend Shaquille O’Neal.” Guelph assistant Coach Chris O’Rourke said of the Warriors, “to their credit they came to play and played hard.” The Gryphons (coached by Tim Darling, assisted by Chris O’Rourke, Dean Pandurov, Andy Van Dyke and Tarry Upshaw, manager Matt Burnside, trainer Lisa MacNeil, trainer Carla Molloy) also included Wayne Charles, Cam Nekkers, Collin Jones, Chris Vander Veer, Steve Krajcarski, Jeff Erskine, Charles Yearwood, Aaron Rideout, Kalvin Karimian, Eric Otto and Clark Wincott.
In the West semis, 2nd-seeded Western defeated 6th-seeded Waterloo 69-67. The Mustangs opened the second half with a 16-3 run and appeared in command as they built a 67-53 lead. But Waterloo rallied back to within 68-67 on a Tom Balfe free throw with 1:15 to play. Nathan Stepanovic hit a free throw for the Mustangs with 8.1 seconds to play after getting tangled up with Stepanovic. The Warriors missed three chances to win it down the stretch. After missing a trey, they regained the ball on a Western turnover. Tom Balfe missed a 12-footer and then Mustang Mike Milne blocked a Nick Poulimenos putback attempt, before Mano Watsa missed a buzzer beating jumper. Watsa had hit a jumper to rally the Warriors within 32-30 at the half. Western missed 10 consecutive free throws down the stretch and failed to score a field goal in the final seven minutes but still prevailed. Mustangs coach Craig Boydell told the Hamilton Spectator that “it wasn’t a clutch thing.” Boydell told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record “we may have lost our legs in the second half and the long layoff may have affected us.” Mike Milne paced Western with 26 points and 9 boards. Mike Lynch added 13 points and 7 assists. Blake Gage scored 8, nabbed 7 boards and dished 10 assists. Tom Balfe led Waterloo with 12 points and 13 boards. Nick Poulimenos added 12, Mike Stroeder 11, Mark Eys 9 and Mano Watsa 6, along with 8 assists. “They played their hearts out,” Warriors coach Tom Kieswetter told the Imprint. “They had us gapped, and we definitely had the opportunities. I think we played well enough to win the game. We did a hell of a job reeling them in; we just couldn’t get it finished. Everybody on that team was fired up and everybody believed we were going to win that game. An outstanding effort.” Kieswetter told the Spectator that “these guys did a helluva job. We had control. They were reeling.” Kieswetter told the KW Record that “we could have given up and played soft but we didn’t. … Mike Milne killed us. He’s so fast, he’d just step around us with the mid-range stuff he was hitting.” The Warriors (coached by Tom Kieswetter) also included Mark Hopkins, Scott Carroll, Matt Williams, Mike Crosby, Paul Kwiatkowski, Derek Maat, Remy Donaldson, Dan Meichenbaun, Kieran Del Pasqua and Mike Downing.
In the other West semi, top-seeded McMaster defeated 5th-seeded Lakehead 82-68. Titus Channer paced the Marauders with 30 on 4-4 from the arc and 5 boards. Rich Wesolowski added 15. McMaster ripped off a 29-8 run in the first half to take a 39-15 lead into the lockers. They extended their lead to 35 by opening the second half with an 18-7 run. Lakehead rallied to within 16 but Channer hit a 15-footer and a trey with five minutes to play to bury the Thunderwolves. Marauders coach Joe Raso told the Hamilton Spectator that “all of a sudden, we were messing with the game.” Paul Andrews led Lakehead with 22. The Norwesters (coached by Lou Pero) also included Craig Law, Mark Moorhouse, Carlo Zoffranieri, Brent Bradshaw, Kareem Rodriquez, David O’Brien, Willy Crocker, Mark Neilson, Mike Booth, Quentin Tizzard, Ryan Stuart, Bryan Turner and Peter Vale.
In the West final at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum, top-seeded McMaster defeated 2nd-seeded Western 75-71. McMaster led 65-53 with nine minutes to play on a James Akrong putback but Western rallied with an 11-0 run as they took a 67-66 lead on a Nathan Stepanovic trey with 3:29 to play. Marauder Tom Newton responded with a trey to regain command. Western’s Nigel Rawlins missed two free throws before Marauder Cesare Piccini missed a jumper. But Keegan Johnson stole a Western pass. Tom Newton tipped an offensive rebound to Titus Channer, who hit an 18-footer to give McMaster a 71-67 lead with 1:34 to play. Channer stripped the ball from Mike Milne to set up Johnson for a layup with 42 seconds to play. Titus Channer paced the Marauders with 22. Keegan Johnson added 13, Tom Newton 13, Rich Wesolowski 9 and James Akrong 6. Channer told the Hamilton Spectator that “everyone played together. If one player made a bad shot, another player stepped up.” Wesolowski said “I feel fortunate. As a senior, you can’t ask for much more. I’m just glad we jelled to the point where we can win when we might not have played our best game individually. If we don’t get everyone contributing, then we’re in trouble, especially on the defensive end.” Cesare Piccini said “not only physically, but you have to stay mentally sharp. If you have it together mentally, you can come through the fatigue. And we pride ourselves on our depth. Everyone can contribute in his own way. Everybody has a role.” Marauders coach Joe Raso said “everybody bought into the team today. Titus can’t carry the team by himself but boy, he’s got big shoulders.” Mike Milne paced the Mustangs with 15. Nigel Rawlins added 13, along with 11 boards. Mike Lynch added 10, along with 9 boards and 6 assists.
In Wilson Cup final, host McMaster defeated Toronto 80-75. Keegan Johnson awarded the outstanding player of the game after scoring 14 and grabbing five rebounds. 6-2 senior guard Rich Wesolowski scored 19 and pulled down a critical rebound as the sixth-ranked Marauders held off a late charge by the fifth ranked Blues. Trailing by two with 16 seconds to play, the Blues had a chance to pull even when McMaster’s Cesare Piccini missed a pair of free throws. But Wesolowski hauled down the rebound to secure the win. Wesolowski, who transferred to McMaster from Guelph, drilled a pair of free throws to ice it. Untimely fouls, missed rebounds and a mistaken timeout sealed Toronto’s fare. Keegan Johnson, who repeatedly broke down the Blues with penetrating drives, told the Hamilton Spectator that “it was the type of game where you get a feeling. I knew I could take it to the basket.” Marauders coach Joe Raso said “I like the heart that we showed. If we keep score, we win. If we don’t keep score, we still win.” Blues coach Ken Olynyk said “we weren’t going to let Channer score 30 points and beat us. We were going to make the other guys beat us.” Olynyk told Canadian Press that “we have to rebound better. We missed some crucial ones today.” After trailing most of the second half by 10-15 points, the Blues made a late run, with guard Jason Gopaul’s three-pointer making it 72-71 with 1:31 left. McMaster’s Cesare Piccini grabbed a key bucket off a rebound with 30 seconds left to make it 74-71, and after Gopaul drove the lane to cut the margin to one again, the Blues suffered temporary ‘Chris Webber Syndrome’ and were given a technical foul in the last minute for calling a timeout that did not exist. It was my fault,” said Olynyk. “I did not communicate it to (the team) during our last timeout.” But, with 17 seconds left on the clock, the Blues still had a chance because McMaster’s sharpshooting Rick Wesolowski hit only one of the technicals, and subsequent fouls on Piccini and Titus Channer resulted in them missing their designated free throws. But McMaster was able to get the ball back on rebounds after each missed a free throw, and eventually was able to sink enough of them and run out the clock.
In April, Scott Meeson, who attended Toronto Northern, Carleton Guelph, Durham and York, is appointed interim coach to replace Doug Aitchison, who’s taking a year of absence. Meeson was an assistant who played one year at Carleton before suffering a back injury and transferring to Guelph. “It’s still the same philosophy as last year,” said Meeson. “It’s not a totally new coach. We’re going in the same direction.”
The co-bronze medalist University of Western Ontario Mustangs: Mike Milne; Nigel Rawlins; Mike Lynch; Jonathan Dingle; Blake Gage; Jason Meskis; Kyle Rysdale; Nathan Stepanovic; Jeffrey Wettlaufer; Adrian Smith; Jamie Bell; Jeff Fennell; Dave Kent; coach Craig Boydell; assistant Brad Campbell; manager Dave Finnerty; trainer Paul Bussiere; trainer Darren Johnson; administrative assistant Pat Dooley; statistician Viet Nguyen; academic advisor William Avison
The co-bronze medalist Laurentian Voyageurs: Adam Dusome; Pat Duggan; Joey Turco; Jason Hurley; Kevin Gordon; Shawn Swords; Anthony Malcolm; Roan Biggs; Cory Bailey; Kevin Crittenden; Andre Hrvatin; Blair Morris; coach Peter Campbell; assistant Mike Dodig; assistant Rod McHugh
The runner-up McMaster Marauders: Titus Channer; Cesare Piccini; Tom Newton; Keegan Johnson; Richard Wesolowski; Kristian Olauson; James Akrong; Vojo Rusic; Jamie Girolametto; Jeremy Storry; Jassie Osei-Tutu; Daren Spithoff; Andrew Peters; Derek Woodgate; Scott Fitzpatrick; Matt Stote; Shawn Francis; coach Joe Raso; assistant Ray Kybartas; assistant Rod Bynum; SID Bill Malley
The champion Toronto Varsity Blues: Andrew Rupf; Lars Dressler; Jason Dressler; Carl Swantee; Eddy Meguerian; Jason Gopaul; Vidak Curic; Joe Lombardi; Anthony Daly; Glen Selkirk; Arbi Shahnazarian; Anthony Alexiou; coach Ken Olynyk; assistant Mike Connolly; assistant John Robb