Two Comox Valley basketball stars renewed acquaintances this past weekend in CIS men's action at the Langley Events Centre.
Calvin Westbrook (G.P Vanier Towhees) and the Trinity Western University Spartans were hosting Ryan MacKinnon (Highland Raiders) and the UVic Vikes. Both are in their fifth and final year of university play.
They resumed their friendly rivalry Nov. 4 in their first league games in the well-balanced CIS league with UVic prevailing 93-79. On Nov. 5 the Vikes completed the sweep with an 86-75 win.
In both matches MacKinnon and Westbrook were leading their respective teams in either scoring or on defence, and most of the time were checking each other. On Friday night they were both the leading scorers in the game, MacKinnon with a game-high 28 and Westbrook finishing with 20. On Saturday MacKinnon hit for 17 points and Westbrook finished with 11.
"Calvin, the reigning leading scorer in B.C. high school AAA boys history (29.6 ppg over three years), went to the University of California at Stanislaus on scholarship after graduation," noted his former Vanier coach Larry Street.
"He decided to make a change and has been at Trinity for the past three years on scholarship, and was a key player in last year's CIS national championship game loss to Carleton. He currently is the leader for Trinity offensively and defensively, and plans to go into Education after he grads. He might entertain playing at the pro level overseas," noted Street.
"Ryan is currently a fifth player as well who, if he plays like he did this past weekend, is a candidate for All-Canadian honours," Street said. "He has tremendous shooting range, is a very good passer and a relentless defender. Most of the Vikes' offensive sets are set up for him, and he is making the most of them.
"As well, Ryan is a very well-liked young man outside the court, as is Calvin, and both are outstanding representatives for the Comox Valley. We can be proud," Street said.
"Speaking of proud, the Olsen parents of Deep Bay were very pleased with the play of their daughters – Tiffany (a post) and Chelsea (guard) who both play for Trinity Western on the women's varsity team. They quite often play together, and are fine products of our Comox Valley basketball system.
"Good luck to all four of them this season," Street said.