With the AUS varsity season drawing to a close, it’s time to look back at the year that was. A few of the Dalhousie Gazette Sports Editors attempted to unite for their yearly water cooler gossip, but instead, an old friend of the paper made his return, taking out a Sports Editor in the process.
Here’s how the conversation went.
1. Would you consider the men’s basketball team’s unbelievable playoff run one of the best in AUS basketball history?
IF
As much as I dislike grandiose statements about great sports teams, the evidence suggests the Tigers’ Cinderella run, rallying back from tough odds in each playoff game, was one of the finest in tournament history. The best, however? I wouldn’t say that. What I would proudly proclaim is that Dalhousie’s championship triumph was the finest this university has seen, in any sport, in the past decade. In a school usually garnering a half-dozen Atlantic banners a year, that is saying something.
GB
I mean, when you consider the technical side of the Tigers’ performance, it was below average on several accounts. For them to achieve those come from behind victories, they had to, you know, be behind. And they were behind by a lot. But when you consider how the team united in the third and fourth quarters three days in a row, I can’t help but think that this is one of the greatest storylines the league has ever seen. Given, I was only born in ’93, so everything before then I couldn’t really comment on.
SM
Have we all forgotten about me? Frankly I’m insulted! Aye suspect there be some anti-Muppetites in the liberal media, perpetrating the usual fodder. As fer yer question, the greatest comeback has to be the return of yers truly, Scruffy MacMinster, to the printed page!
2. Who do you think was the Tigers’ best all-round athlete this year?
IF
A smattering of fine Dalhousie athletes this year, as usual, but men’s basketball forward Kashrell Lawrence gets my nod. Stars are defined by what they accomplish on the biggest stages, and Lawrence’s performances in three consecutive come-from-behind games are nothing short of remarkable. A buzzer-beater game-winner in the quarters, a double-double in the semis and then a monster 31 points and 17 boards in the title bout speaks for itself. Meagan Bernier, a gold medalist in the national 800-metre freestyle race, is my honourable mention.
GB
I’m going to go a bit off the radar here and give my pick to men’s volleyball co-captain Bryan Duquette. He led the league in points per set and kills by a staggering 43, and led a senior, skilled team to a flawless regular season. He continued his dominating play into the AUS playoffs, then on to the national level to land the Tigers as the fourth-ranked team in the CIS. It takes a special player to guide an experienced team like he did. He gets my vote.
SM
DOONT ASK ME TO CHOOSE THE BEST! All these “athletes” have mothers, who all think they’re child be the greatest. Aye cast me vote for the lads and lasses in the tiger costume! Fer one, they’re literally tigers!
3. Aside from the current Dal varsity teams that are holding AUS titles, what teams do you feel have the most potential to compete for an AUS championship next year?
IF
Dalhousie women’s soccer would be my main hope, because I believe in coach Jack Hutchison. Now somewhat removed from their back-to-back championships of 2011 and 2012, the Tigers were young last fall and inexperienced, ultimately bowing out in the quarterfinal. With many of those players returning, a little smarter, a little better, I would never count a Hutchison team out of contention.
GB
Only because I don’t want to ever agree with Froese, I’m going to place my faith in the women’s basketball team. It’ll be interesting to see how they adapt to the Courtney Thompson-less era that they’ve been under for the past four years. However, with a strong core of young guns, including Diedre Alexander and Shalyn Field, as well as growing leaders Ainsley MacIntyre and Tessa Stammberger, there’s no reason why the women shouldn’t be able to adjust. However, I truly feel Jack Hutchison and the women’s soccer team’s dedication to recruitment will pay off next year, now that several of the team’s rookies have experience playing in the postseason.
SM
We talk too much about sports, let’s focus on what really matters: the group of foolhardy tossers who call themselves Dal Soviet Union politicians. Aye have had it up to HERE (raises Muppet hand above head) with their slop! What’s the point of democracy if it’s the same collective of haggis-fillers running the show? If aye had a microphone, I’d drop it now!
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