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Burke's defence lead to the Rebels' victory over previously undefeated CMU

The defending MCAC men’s basketball champions from Red River College have always been a team deep at the guard position. This year saw two of their top guards, Kurtis Sansregret and Jonar Huertas, make a move to University Crescent to join the Bisons, but a new crop of backcourt talent has emerged to replace them on Notre Dame Avenue.

One of the talented guards is first-year Ramon Burke out of Daniel McIntire. The 5’10” 19-year-old had a breakout game on Friday, January 29 when the Rebels knocked off the previously undefeated CMU Blazers 75-71. The Jamaican-born Burke dropped two key free-throws late in the fourth quarter to give his team a 70-69 lead. He finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and a game-high 5 steals. He committed no fouls.

Read more: Red River's Ramon Burke Named Athlete of the Week

The athletic guard had a season-best 17 rebounds against the Rebels

The Canadian Mennonite University women’s basketball team has been a perennial favourite to grab the MCAC title since the conference’s inception. Every year the Blazers seem to find themselves with another injection of fresh talent on the court. Anneke Hildebrand is at the head of this year’s freshman class.

The 19-year-old guard who hails from La Barriere, MB, was instrumental in CMU’s romp of Red River College on Friday, January 29. In the 83-46 win, the Westgate Mennonite Collegiate product put up 17 points and 17 rebounds, including 12 off the offensive glass.

“She just crashed the boards from the outside every time,” said head coach Alex Leaver. “She just went and got the ball, which is exactly what I told her to do.”

Read more: CMU's Anneke Hildebrand Named Athlete of the Week

When the Blazers needed it most, Paul Muns was dominant

The Canadian Mennonite University Blazers currently sit atop the MCAC men’s basketball standings with a perfect 7-0 record. On Friday, January 22, the Blazers surprised many by dressing only six players for their home court matchup with the then second-placed Providence College Freemen. It was a good thing for CMU that veteran Paul Muns was one of the Blazers that did suit up.

Read more: CMU's Paul Muns Named Athlete of the Week

Mallory Shack came off the bench in a huge way against the Freemen

Mallory Shack is a 5’3” guard with the Canadian Mennonite University women’s basketball team. In the Blazers’ 67-42 home-court thrashing of the Providence College Freemen on January 22, the third-year Shack came off the bench and absolutely shot the lights out. She amassed two three-pointers and 10 points in the first half on her way to nearly leading her team with 16 points on the night. Starting shooting-guard Anneke Hildebrand had 17.

Shack’s contribution was timely for the Blazers on Friday as fifth-year all-conference point guard Christie Anne McCullough found herself on the bench for most of the game due to early foul trouble. McCullough was held to a near season low 9 points on the night.

Read more: CMU's Mallory Shack Named Athlete of the Week

Coursey (21) is highly skilled, and a physical presence in the paint.

Joel Coursey could possibly be the most physically intimidating athlete in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference. At 6’6” and 220 pounds, the second-year forward garners plenty of attention when he steps on the court. But, he is more than simply a “big-man” in the paint for the 3-2 Providence College Freemen.

Read more: Prov's Joel Coursey Named Athlete of the Week

The freshman point-guard was also an All-Conference soccer selection earlier this season.

A 5’6” freshman with the Providence College women’s basketball team, Melanie Warkentine racked up 13 points, including one three-pointer, in her team’s 49-41 loss to Red River College on January 15. The 18-year-old standout guard who hails from Winkler, Manitoba displayed a silky-smooth jumper, as well as outstanding ball control and distribution at the helm of the Freemen offense.

Read more: Prov's Melanie Warkentine Named Athlete of the Week

Leaver adds a pair of his 18 points against the Rebels

A 5”10’ guard with the Canadian Mennonite University men’s basketball team, Alex Leaver racked up 18 second half points in his team’s 85-73 victory over the defending MCAC champions from Red River College on November 14.

Read more: CMU's Alex Leaver Named Athlete of the Week

Magpantay (10) looks on as head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul explains her gameplan

Karie Magpantay is a strong and talented 5’10” forward with the Red River College women’s basketball team. The 21-year-old joint baccalaureate nursing student is in her first season with the defending MCAC champion Rebels, and has been a welcome addition to a team whose talent in the paint has been depleted with this season’s departure of long-time Rebels Julia Anning and Shaylyn Stutsky.

Read more: RRC's Karie Magpantay Named Athlete of the Week

The Freemen are ranked #1 in the NCCAA Div. II

The Providence College Athletics program is enjoying great success as it sends two of its programs to the National Christian Colleges Athletics Association (NCCAA) Division II National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida this week.

Read more: Freemen Send 2 Teams to NCCAA Div.II Championships

Providence College’s soccer and volleyball athletes took part in the annual regional playoff food drive this past weekend at their respective National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) regional tournaments.

The food drive is a NCCAA Christian Service Project (CSP) and takes place annually at regional tournaments for each sport in the NCCAA body. During last year’s food drive, the NCCAA was able to gather 7,500 lbs of food through involvement with all of its respective regions and sports.  This year they hope to surpass that as they have set a new goal of 8,000 lbs. Providence athletic teams took advantage of this opportunity to serve as they all brought bags full of non-perishable goods to their regional tournaments in support of the project.

Read more: Providence Athletes Give Back Through CSPs