Andy Sparks

The teams’ long-awaited shared home opener was an overwhelming success, and left its audience ecstatic to see garnet and grey on the floor at Montpetit Hall once again.

Both the Gee-Gees and Ravens were five and three after the first half of the season. Carleton was hot off a three-game winning streak, but the Gees were the better shooting team with 41 per cent compared to the Ravens’ 36.

The Gees and the Rams were both nationally ranked teams coming in and both battled for every point during the match. The game came down to the final seconds, during which the Gees pulled away with one final basket to secure the win.

Off the court, Derouin is an approachable character with an amiable allure, which earns him the trust of his athletes and sometimes complaints from Andy Sparks, head coach of the women’s team. However, Derouin isn’t quick to smile.

This game marked the second Capital Hoops win for the U of O women since it began in 2008. Although the Gees do not have a great record for the Classic, the U of O has finished ahead of Carleton in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) finals and at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) nationals for the past several years.

The team will travel to nationals with five all-star nods on top of Sparks’ coach-of-the-year honour. Gilbert and Kellie Ring were named to the OUA East first all-stars team, Stephen represents the Gees on the second team, and the duo of Traer and Julia Soriano were named to the all-rookie team.

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