Lethbridge – The Pronghorn men’s basketball team (11-9 CW) returns to the post-season after a one year absence and heads out on the road to face arguably the hottest team in Canada West, traveling to Abbotsford to face the Fraser Valley Cascades (13-5 CW) in a best-of-three series.
 
The Cascades, winners of six games in a row, are hosting their first ever playoff series at Envision Athletic Centre, February 23-25.
 
In their only match-up this season, the ‘Horns downed the Cascades 87-78 in Abbotsford, but the Cascades only lost one other game since then and that was to the Pacific Division leading Victoria Vikes in Victoria.
 
Being equally matched in majority of the statistical categories, the series may very well be won or lost on the glass. Both teams are among the tops in the conference in rebounding with the ‘Horns holding a slight edge. The ‘Horns were third in the conference with 41.7 rebounds a night, while the Cascades were only one spot behind the ‘Horns at 40.7 rebounds a game.
 
Canada West Quarterfinal (2 out of 3 playoff series)
Thursday, February 23 Lethbridge @ UFV 8PM
Friday, February 24 Lethbridge @ UFV 8PM
Saturday, February 25 Lethbridge @ UFV 7PM * in necessary.
 
The games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv , home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
Horns need to become road warriors
After finishing out of the playoffs last season, the Pronghorns went through an overhaul prior to this season. With eight new faces on the roster, there was a complete change of culture which resulted in the best season in 12 years for the ‘Horns. The last time the ‘Horns finished with a record above .500 was 1999-2000 when the team went 18-2 and made it to the CIS semi-final.
 
While the ‘Horns have seen a resurrection this season, they now need to find a way to win on the road. The Horns went 9-1 at home and only 2-8 on the road, but one of those wins came in Fraser Valley which gives the team some confidence going in to the series.
 
Offensively the ‘Horns had a steady improvement throughout the season as all the pieces came together and they finished the regular season ranked fourth in the conference, averaging 83.9 points for a night. First-year Pronghorns Daryl Cooper and Dom Coward led the ‘Horns with 16.2 and 15 points a game respectively. Coward was also among the top rebounders and nearly averaged a double-double with 9.8 rebounds per game.
 
Cascades Peaking at the right time?
In only their sixth season in Canada West, the Cascades, led by former Pronghorn standout Barnaby Craddock, have become major players in the Canada West basketball scene. The 13-5 record is the best in school history and they enter the post season riding a six-game winning streak, including a impressive sweep over the UBC Thunderbirds three weeks ago. The sweep of the T-Birds secured home court advantage in the first round.
 
At the offensive end of the floor the Cascades are ranked sixth in the conference at 83.4 points a night. Nearly 70% of their scoring comes from four starters, led by Joel Friesen who averages 16.8 points per game. Samuel Freeman is second on the team in scoring 15.3 points per game.
 
Defensively, the Cascades have a slight edge on the ‘Horns and are ranked fifth in the conference allowing 75.6 points per game.