Abbotsford products Jacob Doerksen and Danny Horner helped the Trinity Western University men's basketball team to a silver medal at nationals in Halifax.
The Spartans beat Lakehead and UBC en route to the final, where they met the Carleton Ravens. The Ravens rode hot three-point shooting to a convincing 82-59 win, clinching their seventh CIS title in nine seasons.
Doerksen, a Rick Hansen Secondary grad who was national player of the year in 2009, led the Spartans with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Horner, a W.J. Mouat grad, played 11 minutes as TWU's backup point guard. For both fifth-year players, the national title game marked the end of their university careers.
CASCADES FALL TO BLUES
The University of the Fraser Valley women's basketball team saw its wonderful playoff run come to an end on Friday.
The Cascades were eliminated in the semifinals of the CIS East Regional in Fredricton, falling 78-69 to the Toronto Varsity Blues. Alyssa Gaukel paced UFV with 14 points, while Sarah Wierks (12 points), Tessa Klassen (11) and Aieisha Luyken (10) also scored in double figures.
It was a season to remember for the youthful UFV squad, which upset the Winnipeg Wesmen in the first round of the playoffs and finished fourth at the Canada West Final Four.