Hurricanes host first-place MSVU Mystics for four games

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Matt Morrison, Men's Basketball

Charlottetown - The Holland Hurricanes will take to the court this weekend for games against the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics. MSVU sits on top of both the men's and women's standings in the ACAA.

Saturday night the women will face-off at 7:00 PM with the men playing after at 9:00 PM. Sunday the teams will go back it, with the women at 12:00 PM and the men at 2:00 PM. All games are at the UPEI Sports Centre.

On the women's side, the Hurricanes certainly have their hands full. MSVU is undefeated on the season and show no signs of slowing down.

While a win over the Mystics is not probable for the Hurricanes women this weekend, there is one thing that's certain. This team won't roll over. The Hurricanes have showed over and over this season that they play hard until the final whistle every time they're on the court.

ACAA Athlete of the Week Joleesa Robinson is a great example of this type of work ethic.

"They're such a great team. We know how tough these games are going to be, but our mentality is that you just never know what can happen. We're going to play as hard as we can and see what happens," said Robinson.  

The Hurricanes got a big win over UNBSJ on the road last weekend, pretty well securing their spot in the playoffs. With that in mind the Hurricanes know that MSVU is a team they could face during ACAA Championships being held in Truro, NS, the first weekend of March.

Head Coach Kathy Murray is busy getting her team focused to take-on the powerhouse Mystics.

"Our focus has been on regrouping after basically having a month on the road. I think traveling every weekend in January was tough on the girls. We are continuing to work on improving in areas like taking care of the ball and making our easy baskets. If we can get better there, we can be in the game with every team in the league. "

In men's action both games have the potential to be battles of epic proportions. The Hurricanes sit in second place, right behind the Mystics. When the two teams met in Halifax in November, the Mystics won 62-61. If the standings hold their weight, these games could very well be a preview of the ACAA Championship game this March.

Both teams go into the weekend playing very well. The Hurricanes are riding a six-game winning streak, while the Mystics are still undefeated at 14-0. The 'Canes are 11-3.

A key to the Hurricanes success has been their balanced contribution. Each game it seems that it's someone different stepping up big for the team. Veteran guard Aaron Brown is a great example of the balanced attack. Brown's scoring has gone down this year partially due to great play out of a trio of first-year guards in Alex MacLeod, Matt Morrison and Rob Daley. Aaron has had to adjust to playing fewer minutes, but he's never complained and continued to be a leader for his team.

Last weekend the Hurricanes needed more scoring from Aaron, and he delivered.

"That's the nature of our team. We play a lot of people and it's not always going to be the same person with the hot hand. I think it makes us tough to play against because you never know who it's going to be doing the bulk of the scoring," said Brown.

The Hurricanes have had several games this season where five or more players have reached double-digits in scoring.

"We're playing well right now, but we know this weekend is the real test. The Mount (MSVU) is the measuring stick in the league. Until someone beats them it will be that way. We're going out trying to prove that we can beat them. This is my third year with the team and we haven't been able to beat them since I've been here," added Brown.

In fact, a Hurricanes team has never beaten the Mystics in ACAA basketball action. Hurricanes coach George Morrison hopes this weekend is different.

"They're a tough, veteran team. It's going to take our best effort to beat them this weekend. We are playing well going in, but none of that matters when you hit the court," said Morrison.

"We are preparing for two intense, physical contests. If we can match their intensity and play smart we should have to tight games and give ourselves a chance to win," added the coach.

The Hurricanes are pleased to announce that the Holland College Community Band will be playing at the games Sunday.

The men's game on Sunday will be featured as the "CCAA Game of the Week." It can be viewed live at:

http://www.ccaa.ca/web/index.php/en/news/live-game-of-the-week

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.For more information contact:

 

Jeff Walker
Student Services & Athletics Officer
Holland College, Charlottetown Centre
140 Weymouth Street Charlottetown, PE C1A 4Z1 902-894-6870
jgwalker@hollandcollege.com
www.hollandcollege.com
Home of the Holland Hurricanes
and proud member of the ACAA