Mohawk Mountaineers men's basketball will be hitting the hardwood on Wednesday, February 9 to open up their 2021/22 OCAA regular season schedule. It will mark the official return of OCAA action after winter sports was delayed by provincial COVID-19 restrictions.
The season opener for the Mountaineers will take place on the road versus the Humber Hawks and it will be the first regular season game for Mohawk's indoor teams since the 2019/20 season.
"The group is very excited about getting back on the court," said head coach Brian Jonker. "It has been a trying two years and to play league games again is very much anticipated."
Jonker will be entering his 15th season as Mohawk head coach and expects his squad to have a chance to win in a very competitive West division.
Prior to the holiday break the Mountaineers played a lengthy nine game preseason schedule in which the team averaged 87.1 points per game and surrendered 95.7 points. Regardless of the end results during exhibition play, Jonker was impressed with how his team stuck together.
"We intentionally played a very difficult preseason and we competed in every game," said the veteran coach. "Despite not winning as many games as we would have liked the guys supported each other and kept an overall positive attitude. That will serve us well in the regular season."
The Mountaineers will rely on their tremendous shooting to uplift their offense. In addition to staying efficient on the offensive side of the ball and getting good shots, Jonker says the team needs to avoid turning the ball over and do a good job spacing the floor to give themselves a chance to win.
Mohawk will be led by their veteran backcourt duo of Daniel Graham (Hamilton, ON) and Rommel Calura (Hamilton, ON). In his first-year back in 2019/20, Graham averaged 18.3 points on 39.9 per cent shooting and knocked down three three's per game. Calura was equally as impressive that season averaging 17.6 points on 39.2 per cent from the field and also knocking down an average of three three's per game.
Returning to the roster this season are sharpshooting forward Matt Foster (Burlington, ON) and guard Emanuel Otong (Cambridge, ON) – both played for the Mountaineers during the 2018/19 season. Foster provided Mohawk with 14.5 points per game while shooting 44 per cent from beyond the arc, while Otong averaged 25.3 points and earned OCAA Rookie of the Year honours.
Mohawk will also be adding 6'5, long scorer Deandre Goulbourne (Toronto, ON) to the roster. The guard has the ability to defend anyone from the point guard position to the center spot.
"He is a very welcomed addition," Jonker said.
The Mountaineers will play a nine game regular season schedule over the course of four weeks with five games at home in the David Braley Athletic Centre.
While there has been a significant delay between the end of preseason and the start of regular season, Jonker says the Mountaineers will be facing the same challenges as every team in the league.
"We were fortunate to get two weeks of practice in December with our new additions," he added.
Mountaineers will tipoff on the road versus the Humber Hawks on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. The men's home opener will take place on Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. versus the Redeemer Royals.
At this time no spectators will be allowed for all Mountaineers home games. Every game will be streamed on the OCAA Live platform.
