MBB REACH HALFWAY MARK OF 08-09 CIS SEASON
  
For immediate release:  December 10, 2008

Kamloops---At the start of the season, not many people would have thought the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Men’s basketball team would have any victories at the halfway point of the Canada West Season.   After all, after their head coach had been delegated other duties and he had done next to no recruiting, how was a club which was 2 and 21 the previous year going to improve?.

But that hasn’t been the case.  Although the team has two wins in its first 12 starts, the number of victories could have been much higher, if not for some bad breaks and inexperience.  Interim head coach Thom Gillespie has done a masterful job with the talent on hand.  He looks at the first part of the season philosophically.  “On some levels we should be pleased but our team is disappointed with the 2-8 record essentially because we had many opportunities for positive results which we were unable to capitalize on. “

The WolfPack’s fortunes could have turned right from the first week of the season after dropping two close decisions (by 10 and 9 points) to the University of the Fraser Valley.  They also lost to Trinity Western by 10.  Those losses could come back to haunt TRU as they battle those two schools, and Simon Fraser for the final two playoff spots in the Pacific Division.   The most heartbreaking defeat of the opening portion of the season came in a home game November 21 st when the Regina Cougars took TRU 89-87 in overtime. The winning bucket coming on a tip in as the buzzer went.

Gillespie didn’t have the chance to recruit his roster. But one thing is for sure, those wearing the TRU Uniform have great respect for him.  And its mutural.  “The young men in the Wolfpack Basketball program have worked hard and I have enjoyed watching their progress.”   He states.

On the court, two fourth year veterans have led the way most nights in scoring.  Forward Jeff Friesen (Duncan, BC)  and guard Drew Bleth (Ridgefield, Wash) have answered the challenge of being leaders.

“Jeff and Drew played quite well throughout the first half with solid efforts and performances coming from each individual on the team.” Says Gillespie  One of our challenges is to have a larger number of players perform to a high level on the same night.”

Bleth leads the team in points scored. He is averaging 18.2 per game.  
Greg Stewart (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC)  joined the team near the start of the year after trying his luck with the WolfPack volleyball squad.  He leads the ‘Pack in shooting percentage at .574.   Another pleasant surprise has been 3rd year guard Tyler Hartshorn (Saskatoon, Sask).  He leads in three point field goal per centage (.368).

One of the teams victories thus far has come at home. And for long suffering fans, it was welcome relief. They had only seen one victory in Kamloops in the last two and a half years.
Looking ahead to the second half of the season.  Gillespie says they have a daunting task at hand with all but two weekend games on the road.  “The schedule in general will be tougher in the second half.  The Pacific Division is the strongest group in Canada West and hosting #2 UBC and # 8 UVIC means our home games will be as difficult as it gets in conference play.”

But Gillespie—who’s positive approach to the game has drawn rave reviews from players, fans and the community in general is looking at the situation with a ‘glass half full attitude’.  “We will have to play extremely well to advance to the play-offs at this point, however, with more than a dozen games remaining, anything is possible.”

The WolfPack return to Canada West Action January 3rd against UBC.