Female Athlete of the Week - Courtney McPhereson, Women's Basketball
Courtney McPherson of the Niagara College women’s basketball program has been named this week’s female athlete of the week. McPherson was dominant during both of the Knights weekend road victories over the host Sault College Cougars.
The former Confederation Jaguar standout recorded a pair of double-doubles in the two games. The veteran forward notched game highs in points (25) and rebounds (13) on Saturday, then added 16 points and 12 rebounds on Sunday, despite playing just 16 minutes.
Despite the high offensive output, Knights head coach Mike Beccaria felt that the fourth year forward’s biggest contribution came at the opposite end of the floor. “Courtney played great this weekend, back-to-back scoring and rebounding double-doubles. But she also played great defense this weekend, and that was her biggest impact.”
McPherson and the rest of the 10-5 Niagara College women’s basketball program will return to action on Saturday, January 11th when the team hosts the Lambton Lions at 1:00pm.
Male Athlete of the Week – Van Hutchinson Jr., Men’s Basketball
Van Hutchinson Jr of the Niagara College men’s basketball program (11-2, 2nd OCAA West) has been named this week’s male athlete of the week. Hutchinson notched a pair of double-double during the Knights two road game sweep over the Sault College Cougars.
The six-foot-four shooting guard is a native of Nassau, Bahamas. During the Knights February 11th 68-61 victory, he finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The following afternoon he tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds bringing his season total to seven double-doubles.
Hutchinson is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game in 2016-17.
Hutchinson and the rest of the CCAA’s No. 4 ranked Niagara College men’s basketball program will return to action on Saturday, February 11th when the team hosts the Lambton Lions at 3:00pm at the Welland Athletic Centre.