WolfPack men’s varsity teams prepare for a playoff push

“We don’t need to re-invent the wheel,” fifth-year setter Anton Napolitano explains. “It’s just, get in, get the body moving, stay healthy, and then just polish up a few things we need to tweak in preparation for the three games.”

The WolfPack will play three games in Langley this weekend, taking on Brandon, Mount Royal and Trinity Western. The host Spartans, who just happen to be the top-seeded team in the country, are up first on Thursday night. TRU’s lone fifth-year player, Napolitano is ready for that challenge right away.

“[The Spartans] are very finely tuned, so starting off with them on Thursday and playing the other teams Friday, Saturday — I think it should be easier to read,” Napolitano explains. “[Trinity Western] has a very fast-paced offence; they’ve got four or five options basically all of the time. If we can play like we’re supposed to play against the other teams, it’ll limit their offensive abilities.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today

Men’s basketball will be heading to Lethbridge for the opening match of the Canada West basketball tournament on Thursday night against the Mount Royal Cougars — an opponent they’re familiar with.

“We played them early in the season. Actually, in our very first game of the year, we went to Calgary and played Mount Royal. Lost by one on a bit of a buzzer job,” Head Coach Scott Clark recalls. “I mean, it’s a ball game. They’re good.”

Second-year forward Asher Mayan remembers that game against the Cougars. After a tough schedule in the second half, he believes his team will be ready to turn that result around.

“Playing Mount Royal, I think we’re all excited,” Mayan says. “It was a one-point game. I think we can really take it to them.”

Mayan has been a bright spot for TRU, averaging almost 15 points per game, playing over 31 minutes a night. The WolfPack have played a pair of top-10 national seeds — UBC and UVic — late in the season. Mayan sees that as good preparation for playoffs.

“Those games definitely give us a lot of confidence. We know we can put those stretches together, and score a lot of points. I think the difference-maker is that we’re being aggressive and we’re being physical. If we can get rebounds consistently, on the defensive end and get to the paint on offence, that’s just a recipe for success.”

TRU Women’s basketball will also be in action, as they’ll head to Calgary to take on Mount Royal on Friday.

by Adam Donnelly

WolfPack men’s varsity teams prepare for a playoff push

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