SARNIA – For the first time in 44 years, the George Brown Huskies are the OCAA Men’s Basketball Champions.
On Sunday afternoon inside the Lambton College Athletics & Fitness Complex, the George Brown Huskies knocked off the Humber Hawks, 78-65, to bring home the Gold Medal. With the win, the Huskies continued their recent of strong play, one that they hope to carry into the 2020 CCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship tournament, which runs from March 18-21, 2020, at Humber College.
The Hawks come away with the Silver Medal, and now turn their attention to hosting Nationals in little over a week.
Guard Chris Fields was named as the Huskies’ Player of the Game after posting 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals off the bench. Forward Jaylan Morgan was named Player of the Game for Humber after posting a team-high 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field.
The Championship Game was a battle between the top team from each division in the regular season. The Huskies finished the regular season atop the East Division with a 17-3 record overall, while the Hawks brought home first place in the West Division with a 15-5 record.
It didn’t disappoint.
In each of their first two games, the Huskies found themselves trailing at the half. This time around, George Brown found their rhythm early on in the game to take a four-point lead after the first quarter. Both teams went back and forth in the second, but a pair of free throws from Derrick Taylor late sent the Huskies into the break up one, 37-36.
To start the third, teams would trade baskets before a 7-0 run for George Brown stretched their lead to 10 points, at 58-48, with under two minutes left in the quarter. Humber would cut the deficit to five before the quarter was out, but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way.
George Brown slowly pulled away in the fourth quarter, ultimately picking up the 13-point win and ending their 44-year drought in the process.
Huskies’ forward Kingslee D’Silva was named Tournament MVP for his efforts, while Naseem Barry was named Top Rookie.
Here are the 2020 OCAA Men’s Basketball Championship All-Stars:
Spencer Kerssies, Redeemer Royals
Isaiah Ankra, Seneca Sting
Jaylan Morgan, Humber Hawks
Keith Laryea, Humber Hawks
Caldre Campbell, George Brown Huskies