MBB | Kodiaks Down Clippers in Home Opener
Oct 20, 2017 – On a night when the Kodiaks payed tribute to legends from their decorated past, a new wave of Kodiaks opened their season with a grind-it-out victory on Friday night.
Despite a slow start, the Kodiaks found their groove in a dominant second quarter and rode a terrific performance from veteran Pierce Van Gaalen to a 90-77 season opening victory over the Briercrest Clippers.
Briercrest caught the Kodiaks slowfooted early on and staked out an early eight point lead, shooting an impressive 47% in the first which was led by Brandon Tolentino's eight early points.
The Kodiaks eventually found their scoring touch, however, and completely blitzed the Clippers in the second quarter. Lethbridge outscored Briercrest 30-11 in the second stanza, led by 12 points from Van Gaalen, who finished with a game high 28 points.
Emerging with a 50-33 lead into the break, the Kodiaks had to fight off a scrappy Clippers team the rest of the way. Briercrest kept chipping away at the lead and almost made it a ten point game in the fourth quarter, but Lethbridge was able to hold on for the season opening win.
Jackson Kasko was named the Kodiaks player of the game after a huge game off the bench, draining 15 points which included going 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. Other notable performances included Michael Clemons who had 10 assists, and Cory Richardson who had 13 points in his return from injury.
Despite the slow start, Kodiaks head coach Ryan Heggie was happy to emerge with the victory.
"The start was something we didn't want, but it happened, and I thought we responded well in the second quarter," said Heggie.
"We need to finish games better. You gotta give credit to Briercrest. They always play good here, they do," said Heggie. "We're playing a bit shorthanded right now, missing Rory [Russell], Cooper [Hayward] and Keanu Funa. But our veteran Pierce Van Gaalen, I mean 28 points is probably a career high for Pierce. He's mister versatiliyy for us, and could have easily been player of the game as well."
"We're not happy about losing the second half, but a win is a win. Full credit to Briercrest for winning the second half, they pushed us and they deserved it."
When asked to describe Jackson Kasko's performance, Heggie said it's well deserving for a kid with Kasko's work ethic and demeanour.
"He's a kid who accepts every role you give him. He's a sponge off the verterans and a sponge off the coaches, and it makes him a dream kid to coach. And good things usually happen to those players."
As part of the inaugural Kodiaks Hall of Fame celebrations, halftime of the men's game featured the honouring of three more Hall of Fame inductees, including Sharon Fogtmann (Athlete – Badminton), Tim Tollestrup (Coach/Builder) and the 1988-89 Men's Basketball CCAA silver medal winning team.
Heggie ensured he give his players a briefing on the significance of the occasion before the game.
"I certainly gave the kids a pre-game history lesson, about the women's program with Laurie Hockridge and John Jasiukiewicz, and the men's team, and it brought them up to speed. They were appreciative to learn about the players from the Kodiaks' past," said Heggie.
"It was a nice ceremony, and I think the Hall of Fame committee deserves a round of applause for putting this thing together as nice as they did."
The Kodiaks will now head east for a clash with their Highway 3 rivals from Medicine Hat tomorrow night. The game will be a rematch of last year's ACAC conference semi-final, in which the Kodiaks knocked off the top-seeded Rattlers on their home court, securing a CCAA National Championship berth in the process.
"I'm assuming it might be a hostile atmosphere," said Heggie, tongue firmly in cheek. "We're up for the challenge, we're looking forward to it."
Tip-off from Medicine Hat is set for 8 p.m. and the game can be seen live on ACACTV.
Players of the Game:
Clippers – #17 Kyle Helsloot (17 pts, 7-11 FG)
Kodiaks – #5 Jackson Kasko (15 points, 3-6 3PT)