The Niagara College Men's and Women's basketball programs will open their 2013-14 regular seasons this weekend with a pair of double headers against the Sault College Cougars. Tip-offs for Saturday, October 26th are set for 6:00pm (women) and 8:00pm (men), and on Sunday, October 27th the games will get underway at 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
The women's basketball program underwent a series of changes in the off-season. The team is now led by head coach Mike Beccaria. Beccaria has been busy in his first few months on the job bringing in a number of new players including Tara Gaillonardo and Alyssa McCabe who both previously competed for the Brock Badgers. Also joining the Knights this year were top recruits Mary Ingribelli (St. Catahrines), Anna Jarworowicz (Midland), Katie Beaucock (St. Catharines), and Hayley Tamo (Mississauga).
The new faces will be joined by a trio of returning forwards in Shelby Johnston, Miranda Ross, and Kailtyn McPherson.
The Knights enjoyed a strong preseason, most recently capturing a silver medal at the annual Georgian College Fall classic Tournament.
On the men's side the Knights men's basketball program will see the majority of their roster make their OCAA regular season debuts.
The Knights will return just two players from their 201213 roster. Forward Lawrence McNeil and Aiden Alize-Minty will be learned on heavily for their veteran experience at the OCAA level.
A pair of transfer students in Shane Cupid (Canadore) and Emmanuel Bolamba (St. Lawrence) will also provide the Knights with some stability on the court.
New recruits Levi Mukuna (Hamilton), Anthony Mercanti (Hamilton), Ty Rogers (Mississauga), Josh Bulda (Mississauga) and Aaron Chapman (Huntsville) were all brought in by Knights' head Coach Steve Atkin in the off season.
The Knights spent the majority of the 2013 pre-season trying to get their young and athletic roster the playing experience needed to compete in the OCAA West Division.
Admission to all Niagara College Knight home games is free for students, and all games can be viewed live at www.ocaatv.com.
