Stingers off to Halifax final

By John Austen

The Stingers celebrate with whoops of joy after their semi-final victory on March 11.
Photo by Shana Jean

The kings of Canadian University men’s basketball will be crowned on Sunday in Halifax. and our very own Concordia Stingers have as good a chance as any of bringing home the national title.

The Stingers will be seeded second out of 10 teams when they hit the floor tomorrow to take on either Waterloo (No. 7) or St. Mary’s (No.10) in their opening game of the CIS men's basketball championships.

The Stingers enter the tournament as Quebec champions, having scored a dramatic 75-72 victory over the No. 5-ranked Laval Rouge et Or last Friday night at a jam-packed Concordia Gym.

Rookie Dwayne Buckley scored 17 points, including two last minute free throws, to seal the victory. Ben Sormonte and Chris Blackwood each chipped in with 13 points.

It is the first Quebec title for the team since 2000 and the 16th conference title for the Stingers since the university was formed 30 years ago. It is also head coach John Dore’s ninth provincial championship.

Concordia and Waterloo did not cross paths this season, but the Stingers defeated Saint Mary's 71-63 on Jan. 2.

If the Stingers win their first game, they will face the winner of the Brock/Victoria matchup. The semifinal showdown is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Atlantic time) on Saturday and will be broadcast live on TSN.

The Carleton Ravens are the only team seeded above Concordia.