Lethbridge’s Danny Balderson was named recipient of the Moser. Balderson, a native of Magrath, averaged 21.2 ppg (fourth in the nation) and led Lethbridge to its first CIAU tourney appearance since 1984. He hit .465 from the field, .456 from the arc and 86/92 (.930) from the line, Balderson won national rookie of year in 1994 and then did two years of Mormon missionary work in northern Florida. “I really never picked up a basketball, maybe once a month. For two years, I concentrated on my mission. One day a week, we had what we called a preparation day when we did our laundry and wrote letters. But there was just no time for basketball.” Returned to Lethbridge and became a four-time All-Canadian, a two-time Canada West MVP, a four-time Canada West first-team all-star, and a member of the national student team. The 24-year-old had led Magrath to a provincial title in 1993. The Pronghorns were 27-4 going into the national draw but lost to Alberta in Canada West finals. They were awarded a wild card. Lethbridge coach Dave Crook called his star “a dream to coach and the top player in the history of our program.”
Lethbridge’s Dave Crook was named winner of the Aberdeen. The former coach of Mount Allison led the Pronghorns to a 27-4 regular season record. Steve Konchalski of St. FX and Craig Boydell of Western were named honorable mention coaches.
Saskatchewan guard James Kenyon was awarded the Mullins after leading all rookies in scoring with a 15.0 ppg and hitting 45 treys. He was a second team Canada West all-star. “I knew I had a good shot,” said Kenyon, a 6-foot-5 guard from Langley, B.C. “But I wasn’t too sure about the guys from the other conferences.” Huskies coach Greg Jockims said “it wasn’t completely unexpected” given that the Kenyon had helped Saskatchewan get 9 more wins on the season and make the playoffs. “It helped that our team improved in the won-loss column. And it helps get us national exposure and a profile in other areas of the country.” Kenyon started the season on fire but cooled down midway through the campaign as teams gave him more attention on the perimeter. “I had a bit of a slump in the middle of the season, but the coach told me that’s usual with first-year guys. They played a lot closer to me in the second half so I started to go to the hoop a lot more. And I had to make sure we ran our offence well to get good shots.”
Joining Balderson as 1st team All-Canadians were: Fred Perry (St. FX); Micah Bourdeau (Western); Ted Dongelmans (Laurentian); and Nick Maglisceau (Alberta). …………………………………………………… Perry, a 6-5 forward, averaged 20.8 ppg (third in the nation), 5.8 rpg and was named AUAA MVP while leading the third-ranked X-Men to a 16-4 regular season crown. “It’s just one more piece to that puzzle and you know what that is,” said Perry. “This is a good feeling but winning the championship on Sunday is what I want the most.” The fourth-year arts student was the nation’s third leading scorer for the second consecutive season. He notched a career-high 38 against Acadia during the season, and hit 23/64 (.360) from the arc on the campaign. …………………………………………………… Bourdeau, a 6-3 guard who averaged 18.9 ppg (tenth in the nation), was the OUA West player of the year. “It’s my last time competing or working towards winning this championship, so it’s the last time I’m gonna be in Halifax,” Bourdeau said at the nationals in Halifax. “I kinda started out here – I went to [the University of] St. Mary’s for two years – so it’s great to win this kind of award here. It’s something I’ve been working for the whole time I’ve been in university.” Mustangs coach Craig Boydell said “it’s been fun coaching Micah, no doubt about it – but it’s been fun coaching him because he raised everybody else’s game and I think that’s the key.” …………………………………………………… Dongelmans averaged 17.3 ppg and 8.2 rpg while being named OUA East MVP for the third consecutive season and a first-team all-star. In league play, he averaged 19.7 ppg (7th in the nation) It was the third All-Canadian nod for the 6-10, fourth-year computer science student, a native of Orillia. Dongelmans finished seventh in CIS scoring, first in field goal percentage (.665) and third in free throw shooting (.883). …………………………………………………… Maglisceau, a 6-8 post, averaged 17.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg.
The 2nd-team selections were: Jonah Taussig (St. Mary’s); Steve Maga (McMaster); Patrice Lemieux (Bishop’s); Earnest Bell (Brandon); and Spencer Holt (Lethbridge). …………………………………………………… Maga was also winner of the TSN Award for academic, athletics and community service. …………………………………………………… Taussig averaged 16.1 ppg and led the AUAA in steals with 76 as the Huskies recorded a 15-5 regular season record. …………………………………………………… Lemieux, a fifth-year senior, was the runner-up in the national scoring race with a 20.9 ppg.
Honorable mention was awarded to: Dennie Oliver (St. FX); Bill Crowdis (Ryerson); Eric Zulu (Concordia); and Ramon McElmurry (Lakehead). …………………………………………………… Zulu, a second-year guard, led the CIAU in scoring with a 23.5 ppg.