Carleton’s Osvaldo Jeanty was named recipient of the Moser. Individual laurels largely eluded the Carleton Ravens as they steamrolled to the past three Canadian Interuniversity men’s basketball crowns, almost as if the nation’s coaches believed the task was accomplished by sleight-of-hand performed by lesser talents. That disrespect ended when the 6-0 point guard Osvaldo Jeanty was named the nation’s best player. Jeanty, who’s justly earned his reputation as being the country’s foremost money player, is the sort of kid who always steps up to the challenge when his team’s fortunes are on the line, as evidenced by his having been chosen player of the game in the last two national championship finals, and MVP of the tournament during Carleton’s 2003 title run. The 22-year-old commerce student, who as a precocious high school senior at Samuel Genest told the Citizen that he planned on winning five consecutive CIS titles during his university career, led the Ravens to a (20-2) record and their sixth consecutive Ontario University Athletics East division regular season title, averaging 14.68 points and 3.32 assists per game in league play. The humble Jeanty attributed the award to the efforts of his teammates and coaches. “I just made a few shots.” Jeanty also noted the honour was an acknowledgement of the effort of Raven greats in recent years who, like him, didn’t post breathtaking numbers but did what was needed to win. “I think the coaches (who vote on the award) realized after all our wins over the past three years that there must be some pretty good players coming out of this program.” Jeanty, who assumed the Ravens leadership role this year with the graduation of Mike Smart, found the adjustment a bit of a challenge. “But with coach’s help, it got a little easier every day. You just gotta a little more talkative and make everybody aware of what’s expected of them.” Ravens coach Dave Smart called Jeanty the ultimate competitor. “Who has done more than Oz over the past four years in terms of winning? Nobody.” Jeanty is willing to accept any duty and take on defensive match-up, often sacrificing individual numbers, in the interests of Raven success, Smart added. “He’s just a team guy.” That Jeanty has been able to perform at the level he has over the past two years is utterly remarkable given that he’s “played in constant pain” because the cartilage is slowly being eroded in both his knees, Smart added, noting Jeanty’s work ethic is nothing less than prodigious. “He’s always in the gym.” He helped the Ravens to a 20-2 record and their sixth straight OUA East regular season title. Jeanty led the OUA in treys made with 62, hitting 45% from beyond the arc. He led the OUA in free throw shooting with 85.9%. He was also a two-time OUA all-star and a first team all-Canadian in 1005.
U.B.C.’s Kevin Hanson was named winner of the Aberdeen. Hanson steered the Thunderbirds to a 20-0 regular season record in Canada West and the nation’s top ranking for most of the season. It was the second unbeaten conference campaign in school history. The Regina native is in his sixth year at the Thunderbird helm.
Victoria’s Jacob Doerksen was selected the Mullins winner. The 6-7 forward from Abbotsford averaged 12.9 ppg and 5.5 rpg. He was named a 2nd-team Canada West all-star. “Jacob has led our team offensively and on the boards since the beginning of the year,” said Victoria coach Craig Beaucamp. “He seals harder than anyone inside but can step out and hit the three at any time. He is destined to be a CIS All-Canadian.”
St. Francis Xavier’s Garry Gallimore captured his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. A product of Ottawa’s Woodroffe High, the 6-3 Gallimore was captain of the under-21 national team that won a bronze at the Worlds. Gallimore notched 23 steals and 45 defensive boards in 18 conference games, earning AUS all-star honors for the second consecutive season. “After winning the inaugural award a year ago, Garry has built on that reputation and continued to defend at a very high level,” said coach Steve Konchalski. “He routinely keeps the opposition’s best players to around 30% shooting.”
Joining Jeanty as 1st team All-Canadians were: Casey Archibald (U.B.C.); Dominic Soucy (Laval); Jerome Goodman (St. Mary’s); and Kevin Stienstra (Brock). …………………………………………………… Archibald from Salmon Arm, B.C. …………………………………………………… Soucy from Lethbridge, Alberta. …………………………………………………… Goodman from Baltimore, Maryland …………………………………………………… Steinstra from Vineland, Ont.
The second team selections were: Aaron Doornekamp (Carleton); Andrew Spragud (Saskatchewan); Sherone Edwards (U.P.E.I.); Chris Trumpy (Victoria); and Patrick Perrotte (Concordia). …………………………………………………… The 6-7 Doornekamp “is probably as tough a matchup as there is in the country,” because of the versatility of his game and ability to be productive both in the paint and on the perimeter, said Ravens coach Dave Smart. “He does everything for us.” A native of Odessa, Ont. …………………………………………………… Edwards from Toronto Ont. …………………………………………………… Spragud from Saskatoon, Sask. …………………………………………………… Trumpy from Victoria, B.C. ……………………………………………………
Joining Doerksen on the all-rookie team were: Josh Gibson-Bascombe (Ottawa); Michael Kemp (Brock); Mark McLaughlin (Saint Mary’s); and Yannick Chouinard (McGill).