It’s not yet time to declare our all-star picks for Canada West, since we have more than half the season still to be played for most teams, and the biggest games down the stretch usually turn the votes one way or the other.

Rather than select 5 players, we give ourselves the luxury of including a few more candidates, since there are so many players having great seasons.  Some of our picks are, naturally from the leading teams ... UBC, Calgary, SFU, Saskatchewan ... others are having good individual campaigns despite their team’s lack of success to this point.

Canada West’s Outstanding Players ... First Half

Ross Bekkering, Calgary, 5th, post ... Dinos outstanding player, he dominates on the boards, and is a consistent scorer.  Money at the free-throw line, and an improving defender, who takes away the lane.  Ross is 5th in scoring at 18.3 ppg (5) ... is 2nd in rebounds at 9.6 rpg ... shoots 59%  from the floor, leading Canada West ... an 80% FT shooter, who has taken 83 shots, which is tops in the league.

Josh Whyte, UBC, 4th year, guard ... This Pearson HS grad has been a fixture at the point since his arrival in Vancouver, and his clutch play this year has been the difference in several close games. He is 4th in scoring in CW at 19.1 ppg ... 4.1 assists ... 5.9 rebs ... 2.6 steals (4) ... and shoots 48%.

Shawron Glover, Saskatchewan, 4th, guard ... The top scorer in Canada West at 23.8 ppg., Glover is also a good passer, and has teamed with Michael Linklater to give the Huskies one of the CIS’ leading guard combos. Numbers ... 4.1 assists ... shoots 50% ... leads the league in steals with 3.3 /game.

Jacob Doerksen, Trinity Western, 4th, post ... 2009 CIS Player of the Year, Doeksen is still a major factor, but his numbers are not as good as in 2008-09.  Still getting used to new teammates. Scoring 21.3  ppg (3) ... 6.6 rebs ... shoots 50%.

Jeff Price, Lethbridge, 4th, guard ... Leading the Pronghorns in scoring and assists, he has taken charge of the offense, and is credited with raising the game of those around him.  Scores 17.6 ppg (6) ... 5.1 asst. , #1 in the league ... also tops in FT% at 90% on 72 attempts, 2nd only to Bekkering in trips to the line ... 2.5 steals.

Dany Charlery, Brandon, 5th, guard ... Fleetest of the Bobcats in a fire-wagon style of play. Charlery can light it up with his quickness to the hoop. Shoots an outstanding 51% from the floor ... scores 22.1 ppg (2) ... 6.1 rebs. ... 2.7 steals (3) ... 87% FT (2)

Robbie Sihota, Calgary, 5th, post ... Leads the league with 5 games of 20+ pts , and is averaging 17.3 ppg as well as 5.7 rebs.  Often the player to end a scoring drought, Sihota has pulled several games out of the fire with his clutch shooting.

Sean Burke, Simon Fraser, 5th, guard ... The veteran is largely responsible for SFU’s great first half as he runs the team and scores key baskets. Averaging 12.9 ppg ... has 4.6 assists (6), with an assist to To’s ratio of 1.6 (5).  ... 86% FT shooter.

Michael Linklater, Saskatchewan, 5th, guard ... The best addition for the Huskies, Linklater has made Glover even better, as a dangerous scoring option himself.. Averages 16.1 ppg and is stealing 2.5 /game (5).

Jeff Friesen, Thompson Rivers, 5th, wing ...   steadiest force for the struggling Wolfpack. Friesen hits for 13.1 ppg and adds 8.3 rebounds, 5th in the league. A strong forward who hits on 87% of his FT’s.

Others who have shone ...

1. • Jeff Cullen, Victoria
   

2. • Cyril Indome, Victoria
   

3. • Tarik Tokar, Brandon
   

4. • Kevin Shaw, SFU
   

5. • Jamaal Williams, Regina
   

6. • Paul Schubach, Regina
   

7. • Nathan Dixon, Manitoba
   

8. • Zeon Gray, Fraser Valley
   

9. • Sam Freeman, Fraser Valley
   

10. • Tyler Fidler, Calgary
    

11. • Troy Gottselig, Saskatchewan
    

12. • Kyle Watson, UBC
    

13. • Nathan Yu, UBC
    

Top Rookies ...

This level of basketball is tough to play for anyone right out of high school, not unlike most CIS sports, where, often, the 17-18 year old is matched-up with an opponent who may be 21 - 25 years, giving them experience and physical maturity.  It’s no surprise, then, that we see so few rookies playing big minutes, even in programs where the team is not a contender.  This year’s rookie field is dominated by two Prairie Division players from arch-rivals, the Dinos and the Bears, and we’ll throw in an import from Brandon.

1. ★ Jordan Baker, Alberta, wing ... scores 12.4 ppg. , which leads the Bears, and rebounds 7.9 rpg, also tops on his team ... shoots 44% from the field, with 36% from 3pt. range.  Weakness is is 27/47 assist to turnover ratio.
   

1. ★ Jarred Ogunbemi-Jackson, Calgary, point ... scores 10.2 ppg, where he is the 4th or 5th option, usually.  Deals 3.7 assists pg, and has 2.4 steals. A 44 % field goal shooter ... he is also 40% from 3 pt. range. Outstanding 1.9 assist to turnover ratio. Weakness is a 57% FT average.
   

2. ★ Terrell Thomas, Brandon, wing ... scores 9.4 points, and shoots 73 % from the FT line ... averages 19 minutes on a guard dominated Bobcat team ... 15 assists to 11 turnovers.
   

Some Individual Game Highlights ...

1. • Highest points ... 37 by Charlery vs. Huskies, 36 by Bekkering vs. Huskies, 35 by Doerksen vs Victoria, 34 by Glover vs. UBC, 34 by Charlery vs. Winnipeg
   

2. • Most rebounds ... 19 by Bekkering vs. Winnipeg, 16 each by Jamaal Bucknor, Alberta, Tyrell Mara, TWU, Jamaal Williams, Regina, Jeff Friesen, TRU
   

3. • Double - Doubles ... 5 times by Greg Stewart, TRU, who also leads CW in rebs (10.4)
   

4. • Most steals ... 7 by Glover vs. Alberta, 6 by Ogunbemi-Jackson, UC, Price, Whyte and others.
   

5. • Blocks ... 7 by Stewart vs. Lethbridge, 5 by Kris Heshka, Regina
   

6. • Assists ... 11 by Burke, 10 each by Jamie McLeod and  Jeff Price
   

7. • Free Throws ... 12/12 by Bekkering vs. Fraser Valley
   

8. • 3 pt. shots made ...  7 Sean Garvey, TRU and Jeff Kukomski, Regina
   

9. • Turnovers ... 11 by Charlery vs. Manitoba, 10 each for Tyler Fidler and Glover