Capilano University Blues: 6-0 – Current National Ranking: 7
The Capilano Blues are off to an impressive 6-0 start winning their games by an average margin of 28 points per game. The team has been led by Sherrie Errico and Carmelle M’Bikata (both averaging 15.17 PPG). A balanced attack and solid defence has the Blues on top of the division but the season is still young and others will surely challenge them in 2017.
Douglas College Royals: 5-1 – Current National Ranking: 11
The Royals sit in second place heading into the second-half of the season. This team is loaded with veterans and it has shown down the stretch in close games against Langara (50-44) and Quest (70- 69). The Royals have relied heavily on Rachel Beauchamp who leads the PacWest in scoring at 16.0 points and 11.50 rebounds per game. The Royals are definitely a contender this season and will be in the mix when the playoffs role around.
Vancouver Island University Mariners: 4-2
The injury bug has been a concern for the Mariners so far this season. UVic transfer Avery Snider missed most of the first part of the season with a knee injury but is back on the court and is poised to make a big difference in the second term. Sienna Pollard is back for her fifth and final season and leads the team with 13.83 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Look for the defending PacWest Champions to come out strong when games resume on January 6th.
Camosun Chargers: 3-3
A close loss (53-51) to VIU Mariners in the season open has the Chargers sitting in fourth place with a record of 3-3. Last season’s PacWest leading scorer, Kathryn Candell needs to continue to put up big numbers if the Chargers want to crack the top three. A win in a key matchup against the 2-4 Quest Kermodes right out of the holiday break on January 7th would definitely help give the Chargers some momentum heading into term two.
Quest Kermodes: 2-4
The Kermodes showed that they can compete with the top teams in the league after a close loss (70- 69) to Douglas College Royals right before the holiday break. 2015-2016 PacWest Rookie of the Year Jordin Wilkinson is averaging 11.83 PPG to lead the team but others will need to step-up for Quest if they want to contend for a Championship in March.
Langara Falcons: 1-5
The Falcons are by far the youngest team in the league with seven rookies on their roster. Under- rated guard Trisha Francia leads the team with 11.83 points and 4.17 assists per game. Their 1-5 start is by no means indicative of the potential this team has to compete against some of the more experienced teams in the PacWest. They will continue to get stronger as the season goes along and we would not be surprised if they upset some teams along the way.
Columbia Bible Bearcats: 0-6
After a tough start to the season, the 0-6 Bearcats will look to bounce back in term two. With no players in the top 10 in scoring, putting up points has been a major concern so far (team only averaging 38.67 PPG). Third-year guard Harvina kaler and fifth-year guard Vanessa Funk will need to start producing if the Bearcats want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Look for the return of fifth year guard Mandy Van Delden from injury to also help in term 2.
Capilano University Blues: 5-1 – Current National Ranking: 9
The Blues have been hitting their stride throughout the first term, led by Greet Gill (20.5 PPG, 11.33 RPG league leader) and rookie point guard Wowie Untalan (2.5 APG). With strong support from the bench, the Blues look to maintain atop the PacWest by utilizing their athleticism to get up and down the floor and seek control of the glass each night. The Blues will start the second third of the season hosting the Royals on January 6th.
Langara Falcons: 5-1 – Current National Ranking: 11
After squaring up with the Blues in a long-awaited match of term one, the Falcons were handed their only loss in a barn burner that ended 101-107. The blazing hot Falcons march into the second term commanded by 2015-16 Rookie of the Year Ravi Basra (10.17 APG league leader) as the team leads the league with the highest offensive output averaging 99.8 PPG. The Falcons head to the Island to start the second term off against the Chargers on January 6th.
Vancouver Island University Mariners: 4-2
Current National Ranking: 14
Led by a NWAC-transfer Usama Zaid (32 PPG league leading, 9 RPG, 2.5 APG) who has taken the first term by storm, the Mariners sit in an unfamiliar 3rd place after suffering their first two losses following their undefeated 2015-16 season in the PacWest. The Mariners are more than capable of making a turn around early in the second term with Montell Lindgren (3.4 APG) and Nanaimo native Bryson Cox (15.33 PPG) supporting Zaid, but will look upon their front court in efforts to crack the top spots in 2017.
Douglas College Royals: 3-3
The Royals sit in the middle of the PacWest at 3-3, though they top the league with the least points against per game (73.5). This defensive team is led by the experienced Malcom Mensah and Grant Campbell, and managed to finish off the first semester with a convincing road win against the Kermodes (79-64). New bench boss Joe Enevoldson holds a tight leash on the team heading into the second term, and will be looking for an efficient offence that could lead to a handful of upsets in the new year.
Quest University Kermodes: 3-3
The Kermodes share the middle of the standings after a lop-sided weekend finishing term one where they took down the top seeded Blues (84-72), but fell to the now 4th placed Royals (64-79). The impressive trio Dallas Searles (26 PPG, 6.17 RPG, 2.5 APG), Theo VandenEkart (19 PPG) and Noah DeRappard-Yuswack (11.17 RPG) have all put up some big numbers which has and will continue to help the Kermodes stay in the mix amidst the PacWest. After handing the Blues their only loss of the season in the last weekend of term one, the Kermodes head to VIU to start the second term in search for another upset on January 6th.
Camosun College Chargers: 1-5
Identified as one of the physically tougher teams to play against in the PacWest, the Chargers look to the leadership of their four 5th year starters, as well as up and coming Mathew Hampton to revitalize their 2017 outlook. From being in a similar spot at this point last year, the Chargers were still able to make headway and win a silver medal in last year’s PacWest Championships. If the Chargers can stay healthy and 5th year sharpshooter Evan Woodson (17.83 PPG) gets more output from his supporting cast, they will look to claw their way back into contention among the top teams in term two.
Columbia Bible Bearcats: 0-6
The Bearcats have had a difficult start to the 2016-17 season. The youngest team in the PacWest is coming off of a 12-point loss against the Chargers and a 14-point defeat against VIU, despite having shown glimpses of their ability to compete. This team will look upon their 4th year players Elijah Calhoun and Umbori Watson to get the wheels turning in term two. The Bearcats host the Royals to kick-start 2017 on January 5th.
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