Huskie Athletics/University of Saskatchewan/GetMyPhoto.ca

By Wray Morrison

Bobcats visit the PAC

U of S basketball teams return to the court this weekend

Jan 20, 2022 | 2:13 PM

The U of S basketball teams start the second half of their season this weekend, when the Brandon Bobcats visit the PAC.

The Huskies women’s team is a perfect 8 and 0 with eight games remaining in their regular season. The Bobcats are winless, however Huskies Coach Lisa Thomaidis admits there will be some hard work ahead. “We’ve got to shore up our D and just be efficient in the offensive end. There have been some games where we could have put up 100 points and we didn’t.” Thomaidis said “Finishing around the rim, and moving the ball to get some better looks” is a focus.

The Huskies are not only deep with talent, but experience. Fifth year guard Libby Epoch, and fifth year forward Summer Masikewich are two members of the team that helped the Huskies win the 2020 USports Championship. Thomaidis admits that their work ethic in games, in practice, and in the gym is contagious. “They’re winners, on and off the court. To be in a practice and watch them train or do an individual work out is really a lesson in excellence.”

First year players such as guards Gage Grassick (Prince Albert) and Tea DeMong (St. Albert) and forward Ella Murphy Wiebe (Saskatoon, Aden Bowman) already have the talent, but are now learning what it takes to succeed on and off the court thanks to veterans such as Masikewich and Epoch. Thomaidis said “For the young ones to see what that’s all about, and to have that standard to strive for really is an amazing part of our program.”

The women’s games against Brandon start at 6pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday at the PAC.

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The 5 and 3 Huskies men’s team sits in third place in the Canada West east division. Regina tops the standings at 7 and 3, Manitoba is next at 6 and 4. The visiting Bobcats are 1 and 9 on the season.

Third year guard Marquavian Stephens, from Flint Michigan, leads the Huskies in scoring with 18.8 points per game so far this season. According to head coach Barry Rawlyk, there is never a dull moment with Stephens on the floor. “Sometimes he drives you crazy, but he scores in a number of ways. He’s a very dynamic player. Has proven to be one of the best players in the conference.”

Another third year guard, Noah Nickel, (Abbotsford BC) is coming in to his own as well. Nickel, who effectively comes off the bench, makes his presence felt in more ways than one. Rawlyk sais ‘His vocal leadership, his understanding of what our system and his presence in the locker room” are just some of the keys to Nicol’s game. “What you see on the court is a small piece of what he does for this team.”

The men’s games against Brandon start at 8pm on Friday and 7pm on Saturday at the PAC.