Victoria’s Eric Hinrichsen was named recipient of the Moser. The Campbell River native, 20, was the Vikings top scorer and the unanimous selection as Canada West player of the year. He led the conference in rebounding with an 11.4 rpg, finished second in field goal percentage and third in scoring with a 20.1 ppg. He was third in the CIAU in rebounding and finished in the top ten in both scoring and field goal percentage. Hinrichsen was CIAU rookie of the year in 1995. During the season, he was selected MVP at several in-season tourneys including the Canadian Classic, Metro Classic (Toronto) and Thunderbird Invitational. “It’s great to be nominated for an award like that and winning it makes it that much sweeter,” said Hinrichsen. “But I’ve got to give a lot of credit to my teammates and to the coaching staff. I mean, basketball’s a five-player sport and, without the support of the four other guys, I wouldn’t have been up there receiving the award.” Guelph coach Tim Darling said the award was deserving. “For a post man to dominate the game like Hinrichsen does, you’ve got to be a hell of a player because you’ve got to get your touches. Whereas the ball is always in a guy like
[fellow Moser award nominee]
Titus Channer’s hands because he’s a guard.”
Laurentian’s Peter Campbell was named recipient of the Aberdeen. In his 11 years at the Voyageurs helm, Campbell won five OUA coach of the year awards and sported a 104-48 record. He’d led Laurentian to three national tourneys. During the season, the Voyageurs finished 19-1 in OUA regular season play.
Victoria’s Aaron Olson was named the Mullins recipient. The Brentwood Bay, B.C. native, led Canada West in three-point field goal percentage, hitting .554. The 18-year-old, 6-4 forward also led the nation in three-point FG%. The 6-4 forward arts & sciences student averaged 13.2 ppg and .927 from line (51-55). The Arts & Science student was a unanimous selection as Canada West rookie of the year. “There are a lot of rookies in Canada and this is a big honor,” Olson said.
Joining Hinrichsen as 1st-team All-Canadians were: Titus Channer (McMaster); Eddie Meguerian (Toronto); Peter Benoite (Memorial) and Kevin Gilroy (Regina). All were Canadian born. …………………………………………………… Channer, from Hamilton, finished second in the nation in scoring with a 24.0 ppg. …………………………………………………… Meguerian, from Don Mills. …………………………………………………… Benoite, from Little Barchoix, Newfoundland. …………………………………………………… Gilroy, from Eastend, Saskatchewan.
The 2nd-team selections were: Brian Parker (Dalhousie); Barnaby Craddock (Lethbridge); Shawn Swords (Laurentian); Mano Watsa (Waterloo); and Cory Bailey (Laurentian). Four of five were Canadian born. …………………………………………………… Craddock, from Vancouver, led Lethbridge to the Canada West final. He was second in Canada West scoring and finished fourth overall in the nation in helping the ‘Horns to an 11-9 record, their first record above .500 in several years. “I was very happy with my personal accomplishments and I owe a lot to (Pronghorn coach) Dave Crook,” said Craddock. “I led the team in minutes played which certainly helped. But it still takes a backseat to what the team did. Our season as a whole was good for basketball in Lethbridge.” …………………………………………………… Swords, from Ottawa. …………………………………………………… Watsa, from Harrow, Ontario. …………………………………………………… Bailey, from Scarborough. …………………………………………………… Parker was from Laurel, Maryland.
Honorable mention was awarded to: Shawn Gray (Brandon)