Van Hutchinson Jr. - Men's Basketball
Van Hutchinson Jr. (Bahamas) has been named this week's Niagara College male athlete of the week. Hutchinson Jr. was simply dominant in a pair of road games this past week, helping the Knights earn a weekend split against the Lambton Lions and St. Clair Saints.
The third-year guard recorded double-doubles in both matchups, marking the fifth and sixth times this season in just seven contests. On Friday night in Sarnia, Hutchinson Jr scored 25 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds, and four steals in a 100-93 victory over the Lions. However, it would be his individual effort on Saturday that would steal the show.
Hutchinson Jr recorded a blistering 56 points to go along with 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 108-101 loss to the Saints. His points total soared past his previous career high of 36, which he set last season against the Humber Hawks.
Perhaps the most impressive feat was that Hutchinson Jr played a combined 79 of 80 minutes in just under 24 hours on a tough road swing. All together, Hutchinson Jr had 81 points, 22 rebounds, 14 assists and nine steals in this past week's two games.
"Tonight we witnessed an amazing performance by the most dynamic player in the league," said Head Coach Phil Mosley after the 56-point performance. "I know he would have traded those personal stats for a win, but he was a warrior and should be commended on his performance."
The Knights four-game road trip continues with a pair of games against Sault College in Sault Ste Marie on November 24th and 25th. Niagara returns home on November 30th when the Fanshawe Falcons visit the Welland Campus Athletic Centre.
Montanna Taylor - Women's Volleyball
Montanna Taylor (St. Catharines) has been named this week's Niagara College female athlete of the week. Taylor was a key factor in the Knights 3-1 home victory over the Redeemer Royals on November 16th.
The first-year setter masterfully distributed the ball throughout the night, recording 30 assists in just four sets of action. The Knights recorded 48 kills in the win, including a trio of Taylor's teammates reaching double-digit kills on the night. The 48 kills is also The Knights second highest kill total of the season behond only their 5-set victory on October 25th.
Taylor also got it done in all other facets of the game, recording season highs in kills (5), service aces (3), points (8), and digs (7).
The Knights now find themselves in the midst of a 9-day break, returning to the court on November 25th as they take on the Sheridan Bruins. They will return for their final home match of the season's first half on November 29th against the Humber Hawks in a rematch of the 2018 OCAA Championship Game.
