The Long Road
CBU was defeated 82-72 by the Acadia Axewomen on Sunday in Antigonish in the Atlantic University Sport final. The loss relegated the Capers to a regional qualifying tournament for a second chance at making the CIS Final Eight being held at the University of Calgary, March 17-19.
“We didn’t get what we wanted last week, but we have another chance to qualify for nationals this weekend,” said Capers head coach Fabian McKenzie. “To be playing in March is a good thing.
“Every time you win or lose, you have to celebrate or go through it. We took a couple of days off and focused on where we’re going now. That’s behind us, so we have to try to compete, win and move forward.”
The Capers will play in the first semifinal tonight at 7 p.m. Atlantic time against the Windsor Lancers. The second semifinal will feature the Fraser Valley Cascades against the host Ottawa Gee-Gees at 9 p.m. Atlantic
“(Windsor) is the No. 2-ranked team in the country,” said McKenzie. “They’re big, athletic, quick and they’re good. But every team playing at this time of the year is good.
“We have some things we think we can do against them. They have a size advantage over us for sure, but we’re going to try and capitalize on some things and take that away and we’re going to use our guard play to help us out there.”
The semifinal winners will meet in the championship Saturday at 9 p.m. Atlantic. Ottawa has already advanced to nationals, so if the Gee-Gees reach Saturday’s final, the second team will also move on.
A second regional qualifier is being held at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Teams include the host Saskatchewan Huskies, Regina Cougars, Brock Badgers and Concordia Stingers.
Teams that have already punched their ticket to nationals include the host Calgary Dinos, Axewomen, Gee-Gees, McGill Martletts and UBC Thunderbirds. An eighth team will be added as an at-large entry.
“We have five players finishing out their careers either this week or next week,” said McKenzie. “We want it to be next week.”
SSN Canada will webcast all of all games from both regionals at ssncanada.ca.