Men's Basketball | 10.27.2014 | Ali Lee

Cougars in town for Vikes men's basketball home openers

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Vikes men's basketball host Regina Cougars (McKinnon Gym)

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VICTORIA, B.C. - The University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team are on the hunt for their third-straight CIS national championship appearance. Following their 2014 fourth-place national finish, Vikes men's basketball head coach Craig Beaucampwill be looking to improve that with a medal-finish in 2014-15. The Vikes have had several pre-season matches against some of the best CIS competition and it was a big test for a young Vikes line up that boasts eight new players and loses 2014 CIS First Team All-Canadian and leading scorer Terrell Evans.
 
Fifth-year forward Chris McLaughlin and fourth-year guard Reiner Theil are undoubtedly the most experienced duo for this year's team. Both have been pivotal for the Vikes in the past two-straight CIS Final 8 appearances. Theil was last season's Canada West Defensive Player of the Year, while McLaughlin was a Canada West Second Team All-Star. With the loss of point guard Kyle Peterson, who transferred to Lethbridge, fourth-year transfer Marcus Tibbs has stepped into the point with relative ease and leading the Vikes in scoring for several of their pre-season games.

This year's recruit class has four true freshmen (Kai Greene, Taylor Montgomery-Stinson, Justin Kinnear and Hayden Lejeune), while three new Vikes transfer over with eligibility still remaining. Fifth-year guard Jeremy Leonard-Smithcompletes his last year after transferring from the Bishop's Gaiters and Hassan Abdullahi and Rulon Schmidt transfer from Dalhousie University and Camosun College, respectively.

Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp enters his 12th season with the Vikes and has established himself as one of the top coaches in the CIS. Beaucamp was named Canada West Coach of the Year for the past three-straight seasons and has continued to keep the Vikes improving. Two seasons ago (2013), the Vikes made their first CIS national championship appearance since 2002. Victoria finished sixth overall but improved last year, 2014, to fourth place.
 
The Vikes had a 4-3 record in their pre-season campaign with wins over Bishop's, Fraser Valley, Nipissing and MacEwan, while conceding loses to CIS contenders Alberta, Carleton and Saskatchewan. The Vikes will open their regular season on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 with a double header against Regina. In the season-opening coaches polls for the Canada West, the Vikes ranked No. 1, while Regina ranked 14. Behind Victoria in the polls were No. 2 Alberta, No. 3 Saskatchewan and No. 4 UBC.

VICTORIA VIKES
2013-14 Regular Season Record: 19-3 (1^st, Pacific)
2014 Playoff Record: 3-2 (2^nd)
2014 Playoff Result: Canada West Silver
2014 CIS Record: 1-2 (4^th)
Last CW Championship: 2005-06
Last CIS Championship: 1996-97
CW Ranking: No. 1
CIS Ranking: No. 10 

Key Additions: F Grant Sitton, G Kai Greene, F Rulon Schmidt, G Jeremy Leonard-Smith, F Justin Kinnear, F Hayden Lejeune
Key Returnees: F Chris McLaughlin, G Reiner Theil, G/F Mack Roth, G Marcus Tibbs
Key Departures: F Terrell Evans, F Ryan Erikson, G Kyle Peterson

Vikes Alumni - 2nd Annual Hoopfest -September 20, 2014

On September 20th, 2014, the Vikes men's and women's basketball teams will host their 2nd Annual Vikes Basketball Alumni Hoopfest.

This event will not only open the 2014-15 season for the current Vikes teams, but will also be a day to celebrate the extensive Vikes Basketball tradition.

Hoopfest starts at 1:00 in McKinnon Gym, with food and social to follow at 6:00 at the Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas St.).Join us during the day to reconnect with past teammates, meet the current athletes and new recruits, and let your kids play in the Kid Zone. There will also be the chance to play some 3 on 3, semi and somewhat competitive hoops, should you be so inclined.
The day itself is free, with dinner at the Strath for only $30. Families are welcome to the event during the day, and spouses are welcome to dinner. Please register ahead of time so we can confirm numbers with the kitchen!

Come meet the current teams and visit with the faces of the past!

Click here for registration details...Hoopfest

Centre for Performance Victoria - New youth basketball development program this Fall 2014!

BOYS TRYOUTS: Sunday Sept. 21st 9:30am-11:45am at McKinnon Gym*
GIRLS TRYOUTS: Sunday Sept. 28th 12:45pm-3:00pm at McKinnon Gym*

WHO: Boys and Girls in grade 6-12

COST: $20 Tryout fee** 

2014 marks a change to the program title to better reflect an adjustment to the structure of the program by linking it more closely with the CP-BC (Provincial) initiative. The name will change from RTC to CP-Zone

Basketball BC is offering Centre for Performance Zone programming for both boys and girls form grade 7 to 11 in five cities across BC; CP- South Vancouver Island in Victoria, CP-North Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, CP – Metro Vancouver, CP-Interior in Kamloops and CP- Okanagan in Kelowna.

The Centre for Performance program has a heavy emphasis on individual skill development with a focus on offensive fundamentals, as well as team principles of play. Players will take part in skill development sessions, receive information on mental training, and undergo physical and skill based testing. While not part of the ongoing CP-BC training that occurs each weekend in Langley, selected athletes from each Zone CP program will be invited to take part in a separate centralized weekend of training held in Metro Vancouver. Athletes and coaches will have an opportunity to interact, train and compete with other members of the CP zone programs from across BC.

When participants register online prior to 'selection day' they will be required to pay a $20 fee (which includes your Basketball BC Membership); if you are chosen to participate in this years CP-Victoria a $370.00 Player fee will be required (this includes HST for the older players, a CANADA BASKETBALL player package & gear, season's pass to UVic Men's and Women's home games).

PLEASE REGISTER at www.vikesbasketballacademy.com