Camosun basketball coach earns second consecutive coaching excellence award
March 3, 2009
With the tip-off of the BCCAA Provincial Basketball Championships just days away, head coach Brett Westcott and his Chargers women’s team already have plenty to celebrate.
In addition to holding the number one spot in the BCCAA for nine of the ten weeks of league competition and staying ranked in the top three teams nationwide for the entire season, the Chargers have earned an array of individual awards which will be presented this Saturday at the Provincial Championship hosted by Capilano University, March 5-7.
Among the award recipients, Chargers head coach Brett Westcott picked up his second consecutive BCCAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for his coaching excellence achievements.
“It is an honour to receive the recognition of your peers for what the team has been able to accomplish,” said Westcott. “I guess that means I get along well with most of the other coaches and I have not burned too many bridges with them,” he added jokingly.
In crediting his crew of coaches and student-athletes Westcott commented, “None of these types of awards happen without an excellent coaching staff which works well together and a group of committed athletes. I have a great group of coaches to work with which makes coming to gym interesting and something to look forward to most days. We have a great group of girls who have come to practice and worked hard, taken us getting on them about things and performed well in most games we have played this season.”
“I have a lot of admiration for Brett,” stated Camosun Recreation and Athletics Coordinator Graham Matthews. “He has done wonders with the program in the two short years. It is a true reflection of his dedication and commitment to the program and the student-athletes.”
A total of six honors were awarded to the Chargers basketball student-athletes. Despite ending the season with a 5-13 league record, the Chargers men are proud to announce that their first year post from Denman Island, Nick Adair, earned the BCCAA Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year and was named to the Men’s All-Rookie Team. Nick ended the season with a total of 244 points, 136 rebounds and 15 assists over the 18-game league season.
“Nick is an outstanding person and athlete,” commented head coach Craig Price. “He worked very hard this year and was willing to serve in any role asked of him. Knowing Nick, he’d probably feel he didn’t deserve the award because both he and the team could have performed better. He always thought of the team’s goals before his own. I cannot think of a more deserving and selfless person to receive an individual award.”
Second-year wing/post, Carmen Lapthorne (Mt. Doug) received the prestigious BCCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award and a First Team All-Star for her outstanding performance throughout the season. Lapthorne finished the season fourth overall in points, scoring a total of 233, plus 90 rebounds and 55 assists.
“Carmen has only scratched the surface of what she could be as a basketball player,” stated head coach Brett Westcott. “She is a tremendous athlete who can score inside and outside. She quarterbacks our pressure defence and she has worked harder this year to give us a more consistent effort. That all said, I still she think has more to give and I think she still has room to grow as a player. I’m hoping that receiving some recognition like this award from the other coaches around the league will be what motivates her to give it all she’s got and have a good playoff run."
Second-year post from Claremont, Teresa Hartick received a BCCAA 2nd Team All-Star. Over the 18 game season, Hartrick contributed a total of 181 points, 75 rebounds and 28 assists.
Oak Bay grad and first-year wing Carly Hopp was named to the Women’s All-Rookie team. Hopp finished her first season with the Chargers with a total of 112 points, 39 rebounds and 29 assists.
Although Westcott considers it an honor for him and his athletes to be recognized by his peers in the league, his focus is on the job ahead at the BCCAA Championships—so the Chargers are back to the business at hand.
“The biggest reason we have had success is the athletes have done a good job on the court in practices and games throughout most of the season,” said Westcott. “None of this extra stuff really matters if we do not perform well during the playoffs."
Catch the live video webcast of the BCCAA Provincial Basketball Championships hosted by Capilano University, North Vancouver, March 5-7.
Contact
Graham Matthews
Camosun College Recreation and Athletics Coordinator
matthews@camosun.bc.ca
250–220–2505
Last updated: September 23, 2015 5:17 pm
