Ooks Basketball

November 17, 2009

Coach Don Phillips is committed to excellence and he requires the same from his players.

This attitude was clearly evident after the NAIT Ooks posted two one-sided victories over the King's University Eagles, padding NAIT's lead in the ACAC Northern Division.

"From a coaching perspective, we have a lot of leaks," he said, recognizing the ease of 86-63 and 108-79 victories.

The Ooks intended to grab 50 rebounds in the first half of the weekend twin-bill and also to hold the short-handed Eagles to fewer than 60 points. They failed, but not by much.

One night later, Phillips commented on the team's improved level of determination and urgency.

"Each season is a journey," he said. "We have to stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Among the many NAIT standouts this season is Gerard Mozwa, who led the team in points with 18 in the opener and 20 the following night. Shane Cox had 16 and 13, Shane Reece produced 13 and 15 and Chris Neptune had 10 points each night, with nine rebounds in the Friday game.

In women's basketball, the potent King's women destroyed NAIT 72-29 and 92-55 during the weekend.

The Ooks remain winless in 10 regular-season ACAC games while King's leads the North with eight wins and only two losses.