National silver medallists back in action Friday
The Concordia Stingers men's basketball team plans to pick up where it left off last spring when it tips off the 2005 season by hosting the prestigious 40th annual Concordia Nike tournament at the Concordia gym in N.D.G. this Friday and Saturday.
The Stingers finished the 2004-'05 season, which included seven games against top NCAA teams, with a 27-11 overall record and as the silver medallists at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship. Versus Canadian opponents Concordia posted a 26-5 record and the Stingers rolled through the Quebec conference with a 17-1 record.
Head coach John Dore has three of his five starters back, including all-star forward Patrick Perrotte. Look for great things from veteran guards Rastko Popovic and Chris Blackwood. Also, sophomore Jamal Gallier has stirred up a lot of talk with his exceptional training camp performance.
The Stingers will miss all-Canadian point guard Phil Langlois who is training with the semi-professional Montreal Matrix, and guard Ben Sormonte.
Dore has brought in six-foot-10 centre Ben McCarthy who will use his fifth year of eligibility with the Stingers while pursuing his graduate studies. He played four year with the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Point guard Damian Buckley, the best Quebec recruit available, will also suit up for Concordia. He’s a Canadian College Athletic Association all-Canadian out of Vanier College. Damian is the younger brother of Dwayne Buckley, the Stingers’ gifted sophomore guard.
“We’re probably more athletic than last year and we have more size,” says Dore. “And we believe everybody back from last year has improved.”
Dore declined to make predictions but has been smiling a lot this fall. “So far, so good,” he says.
The 2005-’06 edition of the Stingers will get to preview their talents this weekend as hosts of the Nike-Concordia tournament, featuring the Ryerson Rams, Wildfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The latter will pose a good test. A top 10 team last season, the Gee-Gees have all their veterans back and have added some good recruits.
Friday, Oct. 7, 2005
6 p.m. - Concordia vs. Ryerson
8 p.m. - Ottawa vs. Laurier
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005
2 p.m. - Consolation
4 p.m. - Championship
