The Champlain Cavaliers Men’s basketball team proved that they were the real deal over the weekend when they captured their 4th provincial title in RSEQ College Division 1 Men’s Basketball. The Cavaliers went 16-5 in the regular season, good enough to finish atop the always interesting, every competitive CEGEP league. The team dropped 4 of 5 matches in the last few weeks in the season, but bounced back with wins against CCAA Nationals host John Abbott and Sainte-Foy.
With home court advantage, the Cavaliers came into the weekend with the coveted bye into the semi-finals. The Dawson Blues downed Vanier to move into the semi-final match up against the host Cavaliers. Both teams started out tentative and Champlain was down by 3 at the half, 28-25. The 3rd quarter saw the Cavaliers explode offensively – outscoring Dawon 25-10 and taking the lead. The Cavs wrapped up the match and a berth to the finals with a final score of 71-59. Five Cavaliers scored double-digits – Kenny Jean Louis with 15, Alex Paquin, Nolan Woodward and Chris Joseph each with 13, and David Belanger with 12 points.
Facing the Montmorecny Nomades in the championship game in front of a capacity crowd of 750 fans, the Cavaliers played a cautious 1st half, letting their solid defence do its job and limiting Montmorency’s chances. With incredible rebounding, the Cavs prevented Momo from 2nd chances on missed shots. At the half, Champlain was up 28-25. Once again, the team sprang into action in the 3rd quarter, going on an 8-point run. The team won the game by a score of 69-52. Chris Joseph went 4-5 from 3-point range, Nolan Woodward had a tremendous 15 rebounds, Kenny Jean Louis had 13-points while Alex Paquin had a great game, scoring 17 point.
Tournament All-Star Awards went to Jean Louis and Paquin, with Paquin also being named tournament MVP.
The team is now preparing for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s National Championship which are being held at John Abbott College from March 14-16.
