“Last weekend was one of the toughest for the team, and to respond the way we did says a lot about ourselves and this group.” —James Derouin, Gee-Gees head men’s basketball coach.
Johnny Berhanemeskel
Three wins at Jack Donohue Tournament helps team gel before season starts.
Multiple current and former U of O athletes scorned the idea of having a relaxing summer, instead choosing to take an opportunity to represent Canada on the world’s stage.
The best of the Gee-Gees’ winter season.
For the national player of the year Johnny Berhanemeskel, it was a bittersweet end to an illustrious career. As the final buzzer sounded, he was no longer a collegiate basketball player — it marked the beginning of his transition to a professional
The Wilson Cup Final Four transformed Montpetit Hall into an energetic decked-out environment, as hopes of securing a second trophy filled the air. That excitement was diminished as Windsor out-rebounded and overpowered the Gee-Gees, stealing an 85-80 win from the top-ranked team.
The OUA playoffs will take place on Feb. 28 at Montpetit Hall. Provided the Gees fend off the rest of their competition, they will look to compete for the number-one seed in the CIS Final Eight in Toronto starting in March.
The game stopped dead. The entire Gee-Gees squad huddled around their leader to congratulate him. Some members of the crowd, including those who had brought huge cardboard cut-outs of Berhanemeskel’s smiling face, bowed down in a gesture of respect. And with a glowing grin, Johnny B met coach James Derouin at centre court to receive the game ball.
The Gee-Gees basketball teams played their first home games Nov. 7 and 8. Though the lady Gees only came out with one win, both teams are off to a great start.
Friday Nov. 7, Johnny Berhanemeskel became the all-time leader for points in a career by a Gee-Gee with 1576, surpassing Josh Gibson-Bascombe’s record of 1571. Let’s take a look at Berhanemeskel’s past four years.
The number-one-seeded Gee-Gees kicked off their quest for gold with a 94–73 victory over the eighth-seeded wildcard Saskatchewan Huskies in the quarterfinal of Canada’s biggest collegiate basketball event of the year.
For the first time in seven years the Gee-Gees defeated cross-town rival Carleton University and won their first Wilson Cup in 20 years. And no one shined brighter than Johnny Berhanemeskel.
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.
Saturday night was a night to remember for the Gee-Gees men’s basketball team. A 79–78 win in a semifinal game in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoff against rival Ryerson Rams would become the most memorable game this season
Men’s and women’s basketball roundups for Friday, Feb. 7.
Highlight Reel: Jan. 31 Men’s Gee-Gees gallop past Rams Friday marked the beginning of the Year of the Horse on the Chinese calendar, and the Gee-Gees started the new year off at a gallop as they took down the Ryerson University Rams 70-63. Despite their seven-point victory — which brings their season to 15-2 — …
Catch up on Friday’s basketball action with the Jan. 24 edition of the Fulcrum’s highlight reel.
The Cavalry Awards are a series of honours given by the Fulcrum to various varsity athletes for outstanding performances and sportsmanship or eye-catching moments. It’s a simple way to let the athletes know we recognize their talent and appreciate the struggle they bear, in addition to being students, to make us proud fans. Although we’d love to give each one an award, we only have so much print space, so we had to make some tough decisions. The candidates aren’t nominated, but handpicked by the sports staff and volunteers at the Fulcrum and reflect our opinions.
