Two distinguished CIS men's basketball careers came to an end on the weekend while one more is continuing.
The UVic Vikes with Ryan MacKinnon (Highland Raiders) defeated the University of Calgary Dinos with Keenan Milburn (Isfeld Ice) in a barnburner, three-game Canada West quarter-final playoff series in Victoria. Meanwhile, Trinity Western University Spartans with Calvin Westbrook (Vanier Towhees) lost two straight to University of Saskatchewan Huskies in their Can West quarter-finals in Saskatoon.
A large contingent of local hoops fans made the roadie to Victoria to cheer on MacKinnon and Milburn in the last two games of their playoff series, and longtime Vanier coach Larry Street said they witnessed two awesome matches.
"Sunday's (final) was a classic just like the UVic/UBC game last week, and Ryan again was a superstar with 33 points, three massive blocked shots, numerous key steals, key rebounds, and an outstanding scooped-up ball he dove for that ended up a key layup for UVic.
"He does so many intangibles that few players do, including pretty assists, knock-dead defence, and constant leadership skills. Ryan is a walking poster boy for how the game should be played ... including his modesty and casual demeanor yet unparalleled tenacity," Street said.
"One should not forget Keenan as his game rose to a different level, and he as well is a tremendously great role model and representative of the Comox Valley basketball scene. Keenan is a starting point guard, a fifth-year player (like MacKinnon) and fundamentally very sound."
The final game was tied at 88 apiece and MacKinnon had the ball with 16 seconds left to go one-on-one for the winner, Street said. "He pulled up for a long three ... the ball hits the rim ... bounces around and is grabbed by UVic forward Terrell Evans and tipped in at the buzzer for the win.
"Not a great way to lose, but obviously a great way to win. The UVic crowd went NUTS!! Hold your head high, Keenan ... you deserved to win too. Good luck, Ryan at the Western Canadian Final Four tournament. One win over Fraser Valley and you're in the national finals tournament."
Meanwhile, Westbrook's Spartans bowed out in two straight to the Huskies. Westbrook scored 14 points in a 98-83 opening game loss and hit for 24 in a 111-97 loss the following day. "Good luck in your future endeavours Calvin, and thanks for being another great role model for our local youngsters," Street commented.
The Canada West Final Four goes this weekend in Saskatoon. Today, the #2 seed Vikes take on #3 Fraser Valley Cascades in the first semifinal while the #1 Saskatchewan Huskies meet the #4 Alberta Golden Bears in the other. The semifinal winners earn automatic berths to the CIS championships the following weekend in Halifax.
Fans can follow the Can West Final Four at www.canadawest.tv.
FREE THROWS This season Milburn averaged 30 minutes a game, scored 78 field goals, 30 three-pointers, 51 assists, 22 steals and 213 points ... he led the SAIT Trojans to the 2009-10 Canadian College championship game ... Westbrook averaged 34 minutes a game this year with 132 field goals, 27 three-pointers, 68 rebounds, 26 assists, 31 steals and 320 points .. he led the Spartans to the CIS national championship game last season ...
