With November appearing on everyone's calendars tomorrow, it is time for the 4th Annual Blue and White game on November 1st. The OCAA No. 5 ranked Niagara Knights men's basketball program (2-0, 3rd OCAA West) are geared up for their second home game of the season, this time welcoming the OCAA No. 3 ranked Humber Hawks (2-0, 3rd OCAA West).
After dominating in a 108-93 victory over the Redeemer Royals (1-2, 7th OCAA West) in their season opener at home, the Knights travelled to Kitchener to take on the Conestoga Condors (0-3, 10th OCAA West). The Knights won that game too, this time by a score of 91-75.
Van Hutchinson Jr. (Nassau, Bahamas) will look to continue his hot start to the season when his team faces the Hawks. So far this year, Hutchinson Jr is averaging 22.0 points per game to go along with 13.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. First-year Knights player Livingston Bromwell (Nassau, Bahamas) has had a fantastic start to his Knights career, averaging 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game through the first two games.
In the previous game, the Knights had an outstanding showing from fourth year forward Jordon McDonald (Mississauga) who was playing in his first game of the year. McDonald scored 14 points and added 7 rebounds in 25 minutes off of the bench.
The Knights high-powered offence has been on full display early in the season as they have cracked the 100-point plateau in both matches so far. They will look to continue that against the undefeated Hawks, a team that is only allowing 72 points per game while scoring an average of 102.5 per game so far this year.
The Knights and the Hawks battled it out on the court twice a year ago, where they split the seasons series. Both teams got the victory on their home courts, with the Knights pulling off a nail-biting 102-97 win in Welland. Since the 1978-79 season, the Hawks have the advantage over the Knights, as the Knights own a 13-35 record against them. That story has been written differently recently, however, as four of the last five contests have gone in Niagara's direction.
The 4th Annual Blue & White Game day kicks off with a tailgate party at The Core at 4pm. The day also features Master Builder Graeme Dymond, who will be on-site giving a brick building seminar at 2pm with a brick building competition at 4pm. There will be tons of prizes throughout the event, and the first 400 spectators through the doors will get a #uKNIGHTed t-shirt.
