Vancouver Island’s Usam Zaid was named CCAA Player of the Year. Zaid led the Mariners to a 16-2 record and first-place finish in the PacWest regular season standings. The third-year forward ranked first in the conference with 28.35 ppg, which placed him second overall in the CCAA. The transfer from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, also ranked third in the league with 9.12 rpg and sixth in assists. “We have never had a player come near the statistical production as Usama has achieved,” said Mariners coach Matt Kuzminski. “This production has contributed a lot to our team success but stats aside, Usama has made a great effort of buying into being a great teammate.” Zaid helped the Mariners win their third consecutive PacWest postseason title. Other nominees for the Player of the Year award were Ian Tevis of the Red Deer Kings (ACAC), Rayvon Higdon of the Redeemer Royals (OCAA), Alix Lochard of the Nomades de Montmorency (RSEQ) and Thomarcus Nix of the Crandall Chargers (ACAA).
Montmorency’s Marc-Olivier Beauchamp was named the CCAA coach of the year. Beauchamp led the Nomades to a 13-1 regular season record and a first-place finish in the RSEQ. He subsequently steered them to a postseason conference crown and a national title. “Marc-Olivier has done a tremendous job with the Montmorency program,” said Jeff Harris, CCAA Men’s Basketball Convenor. “Back-to-back appearances at Nationals is impressive. … His teams are always well prepared for their opponents and he’s done a great job developing the individual skills of his players to play at the post-secondary level.” Other nominees included Paul Eberhardt (Langara); Reagan Wood (Concordia University of Edmonton); Jonathan Smith (George Brown); and Ian MacRae (Mount St. Vincent).
Joining Zaid on the All-Canadian team were: …………………………………………………… Ravi Basra (Langara). The 2nd year point guard led the Falcons to a 14-4 record and a second-place finish in the Pac West. He led the nation and the conference with 7.88 apg, while scoring 15 ppg and leading Langara with 2.5 spg. …………………………………………………… Ian Tevis (Red Deer). Tevis was chosen ACAC player of the year after the Kings to a 15-6 record and a second-place finish in the ACAC south division. The fourth-year guard averaged 23.6 ppg and second in the league in steals with 3.1 per game. …………………………………………………… Jackson Jacob (NAIT). Jacob led the ACAC in scoring with 29 ppg. The second-year guard also averaged 5.1 rpg and 3.3 apg while leading the Ooks to a 17-7 record and a second-place finish in the north division. …………………………………………………… Rayvon Higdon (Redeemer). Higdon was chosen OCAA player of the year after leading the conference in scoring with 26.3 ppg. He also ranked in the top five in assists, steals, defensive rebounds, field goals and free throws. He was named an All-Canadian for the second consecutive campaign. …………………………………………………… Ajahmo Clarke (George Brown). Clarke led the Grizzlies to a 19-1 record and a first-place finish in the OCAA east division. The fifth-year guard became the league’s all-time scorer after averaging 23 ppg, which was second in the conference. …………………………………………………… Alix Lochard (Montmorency). Lochard was chosen RSEQ player of the year after leading the Nomades to a 13-1 record and a first-place finish in the regular season standings. He finished first in the conference in rebounding (11.5 rpg) and second in scoring with an 18.8 ppg. …………………………………………………… Kevin Civil (Montmorency). The second-year guard helped lead the Nomades to a 13-1 record and a first-place in the RSEQ regular season standings. He led the conference in steals (2.9 spg), was second in assists (4.2 apg) and fourth in scoring (15.7 ppg). …………………………………………………… Thomarcus Nix (Crandall). Nix was named the ACAA player of the year after leading the conference in scoring (19.3 ppg) and finished second in rebounding (10.4). The fifth-year forward was named an All-Canadian for the second consecutive season after leading the Chargers to a 14-7 record and a third-place finish in the ACAA regular season standings. …………………………………………………… Trenity Burdine (Holland). The fifth-year forward led the Hurricanes to fourth consecutive ACAA crown, while finishing 2nd in the conference in scoring with 19.2 ppg. He also averaged 5.0 rpg.