by Justin Orlewicz (Sports Editor)
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team drove down Highway 1 to play an exhibition game at Sardis Secondary School, in Chilliwack, BC. They defeated the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Heat (CCAA-BCCAA) 102-75. The win improves the Cascades preseason record to 3-0 and marks the first time they have stepped on the court since their sweep of the two NCAA schools in July, at the Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascades received a solid performance from all 11 players dressed, as they all played valuable minutes and scored at least one point in the exhibition game. Zeon Gray, from Los Angeles, led the Cascades with a game high 25-point performance. Sam Freeman, from Coquitlam, added 21-points of his own. Meanwhile, Ryan Fahendeg from Kelowna, added 19-points and three rebounds against his old school. Three different players led the Cascades in total rebounds with four each as UFV pulled down 23 total rebounds for the game.
This past Saturday the men’s basketball team had their annual alumni game at the Envision Athletics Center. It was followed up with an exhibition home game against UNBC. The newer Alumnus, those entering UFV after 2001, defeated the older Alumnus, prior to 2001, by the score of 88-82.
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades defeated the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves, 84-79 at home. The Cascades jumped to an early lead, but the Timberwolves, who play in the BCCAA, were pesky and hung around all night, giving the home team a challenge. UFV was strong in the first half, building a 45-32 halftime lead. In the second half, UNBC kept chipping away at the Cascades lead, but could never get any closer than eight points. The Cascades, being the more experienced team, were able to answer any quick run that UNBC had and keep them at double-digit distance until late in the game, when a couple three-point shots narrowed the score to five points. Joel Friesen, from Abbotsford, led the Cascades in the game. Other Cascades in double figures were James Elliott, from Perth, Australia, with 16-points, Zeon Gray, with 15-points, Josh Kufske, from Abbotsford, with 13-points and Sheldon Bjorgaard, from Abbotsford with 11-points.  Friesen pulled down five total rebounds as UFV registered 21 for the game. Â
The men’s Cascades basketball team will start their regular season home schedule on Friday October 29 and October 30 with a doubleheader against Manitoba. The Friday game will be at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday’s game will be at 7:00 p.m.
The Cascades are looking really good so far this season, and they could do even better at home with a loud sixth-man-type-atmosphere in the Envisions Athletics Center.
So come out and cheer on the men’s team and remember students get in for free! Not a bad way to spend your Friday night and show some school spirit. Another positive note for the UFV varsity teams: our school had a record of 29 student-athletes who earned Academic All-Canadian Honors. Kody Kishi was the lone member from the men’s basketball team that made the list.
