Montmorency’s Alix Lochard was named CCAA player of the year. “Alix is a physically gifted performer and he consistently puts up solid numbers for Montmorency,” said Jeff Harris, CCAA men’s basketball convenor. “He produces in big moments – as evidenced by being named most valuable player at the RSEQ Championships.” Lochard notched 25 points in Montmorency’s 78-77 victory over the Dynamiques de Brébeuf in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec final. The 3rd-year forward led the defending CCAA National Champion Nomades to a 13-3 record and second-place finish in the regular season. The two-time CCAA All-Canadian led the conference with 22.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg. He was named the RSEQ player of the year and was a first-team all-star selection. The 3rd-year forward shot .671 (139-207) from the field. “Alix is a force of nature with outstanding hands and fluid footwork,” said Duane John, Montmorency’s Athletics & Community Coordinator. “He has great timing and excels in rebounding and in transition. … He’s been the difference maker in the turnaround of our program since joining the team in 2016. Alix represents the values of ethics, effort and commitment.” Other nominees for the award were: Usama Zaid of the VIU Mariners (PACWEST); Kenny Johnson of the Grande Prairie Wolves (ACAC), Rayvon Higdon of the Redeemer Royals (OCAA) and Thomas LeGallais of the Mount Allison Mounties (ACAA).
Michael Chmielewski of the Jean-de-Brebeuf Dynamiques was named CCAA coach of the year. “In just three short years at the Division I level in Quebec, Mike has developed a program that has risen to the top of the conference and CCAA and gained the respect of his peers,” said Jeff Harris, CCAA men’s basketball convenor. Chmielewski led the Dynamiques to a 14-2 record and first-place finish in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec. The Dynamiques lost to Montmorency 78-77 in the RSEQ final. Chmielewski is a development advisor for “Pour 3 points”, an organization that helps youths with academic difficulties in disadvantaged areas. “He always sees the positive side of teaching and training with the athlete,” said Danielle Nadon, Athletic Director at Jean-de-Brébeuf. “His players are learning to share and develop a work ethic and respect towards teammates, coaches, opponents and officials.” Other nominees for the award were Matt Kuzminski of Vancouver Island (PACWEST); Reagan Wood of Concordia University of Edmonton (ACAC); Jamie Girolametto of Redeemer (OCAA); and Josh Whitty of Holland (ACAA).
Joining Lochard as All-Canadian selections were: …………………………………………………… Usama Zaid (Vancouver Island). Zaid was the PACWEST player of the year after leading the Mariners to a 17-1 record and first-place finish in the conference. The third-year guard led the PACWEST with 26.1 ppg, was first with 48 steals and among the league leaders in rebounds. It was his selection as a CCAA All-Canadian. He was also a first-team PACWEST all-star selection. …………………………………………………… Kenny Johnson (Grande Prairie). Johnson was the ACAC Player of the Year after leading the CCAA with 31.9 ppg and a total of 701 point in 22 games. His scoring total sets a new record for single season individual scoring in the ACAC. Overall in his 3 seasons, he has set a new record for GPRC’s all-time leading scorer with 1,771 points. This ranks him 3rd in the ACAC all-time leading scorer category. The 3rd-year guard also ranked among the conference’s top five in assists, steals and defensive rebounds. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-product was also a first-team ACAC all-star. “Kenny is the most talented and hardest working player I have been involved with,” said Wolves coach Evan Lloyd. “He put in more hours of training than any athlete has in my time with the program. The result is the outstanding season that Kenny has had.” …………………………………………………… Rayvon Higdon (Redeemer). The Rochester, N.Y.-product led the Royals to a 19-1 record and first-place finish in the OCAA West Division. The three-time CCAA All-Canadian is now also a two-time OCAA Player of the Year. Higdon was sixth in OCAA scoring averaging 21.6 points per game, and fifth in total points with 433. The fifth-year guard shot .477 from the floor and .410 from the arc. Higdon was tied for third with 110 assists and also sixth in steals with 45. The fifth-year forward/guard is Redeemer’s all-time points leader after only three seasons with the Royals. He was also an OCAA West division first-team all-star. …………………………………………………… Thomas LeGallais (Mount Allison). The second-year guard led the Mounties to a 15-6 record and second-place finish in the ACAA. LeGallais led the conference with 21.2 ppg, ranked first with 52 steals and second with 110 assists. He was named the ACAA player of the year and a first-team all-star selection. ………………………………………………… Ravi Basra (Langara). Basra led the PACWEST with 8.25 apg and ranked in the top 5 in points per game and steals. The third-year player led the Falcons to a 12-6 record and second-place finish in the PACWEST. It was the point guard’s selection as a CCAA All-Canadian. Basra was a first-team PACWEST all-star selection. …………………………………………………… Murphy Beya (SAIT). Beya led the Trojans to a 16-5 record, a tie for first place in the ACAC South Division, and the conference’s postseason title. The 5th-year forward ranked third in the ACAC with 10.7 rpg and ranked fourth in the conference in blocks. He also led the Trojans with 15.8 ppg. He was also an ACAC South division first-team all-star. …………………………………………………… Khalil Miller (Seneca). Miller led the Sting to the top of the OCAA East Division standings with a 19-1 record. The second-year forward led Seneca to its first OCAA Championship title in 30 years. Miller was first in the OCAA in blocks (59) and fifth in rebounds (193). He also had 21 steals. The team captain also led Seneca with 15.4 ppg. Miller was named the OCAA’s East division defensive player of the year and first-team team East division all-star. …………………………………………………… Guillaume Pepin (Jean-de-Brebeuf). Pépin led the Dynamiques to a 14-2 record and first-place finish in the RSEQ. The third-year forward was among the conference top 10 leaders in points per game, rebounds and assists. Pépin also hit 72-86 from the line. Pepin was also a first-team RSEQ all-star selection. …………………………………………………… Brandon Fields (Crandall). Fields led the ACAA with 119 assists and was among the top five in points per game, steals and rebounds. The fourth-year guard led the Chargers to a 14-7 record and tie for third place in the conference. Fields was the ACAA defensive player of the year and a first-team ACAA all-star selection.