UFV Cascades women’s basketball ranked number one in Canada

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team is ranked number one in Canada in this week’s CIS Top Ten Poll. The Cascades moved up one spot from second overall. This marks the university’s first number-one ranking in any sport in their seven-year affiliation with the CIS. The Cascades are currently 9-1 in the Pacific Division of Canada West and shared the top record in Canada West with Regina Cougars and Calgary Dinos, both tied for first place in the Prairie Division.

The Cascades have enjoyed a tremendous first half to the Canada West regular season the lowest they have been ranked all year is 3rd in Canada. The Cascades are a perfect 4-0 at home (Envision Athletic Centre) and 5-1 on the road. The only loss was to Regina, by four points, 59-55, in Regina.

The Cascades are led by Sarah Wierks,(from Chilliwack, BC) with a 13.3 ppg average and 7.9 rebounds per game. Nicole Wierks (from Chilliwack, BC, and yes, they are sisters) with a 12.1 average follows closely behind. Second-year forward Kayli Sartori (Chilliwack, BC ) is third with 11.8. Sartori scored a career-high 27 points against Brandon right before the holiday break.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for things we’ve done in the past and as exciting as it is for UFV to have a team in this position, it’s not a guarantee of any future success. The reality is that we are more focussed on the possibilities moving forward into 2013. At this point the most important thing is that we have a great start to the second half of the season, continue to learn and grow every day, and be best prepared for the rigours of CIS playoff basketball,” commented Al Tuchscherer, head coach of the Cascades women’s basketball team.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

(regular season record)/votes (first-place votes) / (previous rankings)

1. Fraser Valley (9-1) / 442 points (17) / (2)

2. Regina (9-1) / 436 (11) / (3)

3. Windsor (9-0) / 416 (11) / (1)

4. Saint Mary’s (7-0) / 365 / (4)

5. UBC (7-3) / 237 / (9)

6. Carleton (7-3) / 220 (1) / (5)

7. Brock (9-0) / 209 / (10)

8. Concordia (4-1) / 192 / (NR)

9. Acadia (6-1) / 187 / (6)

10. Calgary (9-1) / 145 / (7)

Other teams receiving votes: Saskatchewan (110), Victoria (68), Ottawa (54).

The UFV Cascades men’s basketball team also moved up in the CIS Top Ten polls to fourth overall. They had been sixth for the last four weeks. UFV is currently 7-3 and in second place in the Pacific Division of Canada West, one game behind UBC (8-2) currently ranked second in Canada.

The Cascades are led by fifth-year guard Sam Freeman (from Coquitlam, BC) with a 19.4 points per game average. First-year guard Kevon Parchment (Toronto, Ontario) is averaging 19.3 and was named the final Canada West Athlete of the Week before the holiday break. Senior Kyle Grewal (Surrey, BC) is averaging 15.3 and 8.0 rebounds per game. The Cascades are currently riding a five-game winning streak and are 2-2 at home (Envision Athletic Centre) and 5-1 on the road.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

(regular season record)/votes (first-place votes) / (previous rankings)

1. Carleton (9-1) / 492 points (41) / (1)

2. UBC (8-2) / 445 / (3)

3. Acadia (6-1) / 327 / (2)

4. Fraser Valley (7-3) / 321 / (6)

5. Cape Breton (7-0) / 312 / (4)

6. Alberta (9-1) / 294 / (7)

7. Ryerson (9-0) / 233 / (9)

8. Windsor (7-2) / 230 / (8)

9. McGill (3-1) / 224 / (5)

10. Ottawa (9-1) / 138 / (10)

Other teams receiving votes: Bishop’s (54), Lakehead (50).

Rankings Courtesy of CIS

For further information on UFV Cascades athletics contact David Kent, sports information, 604-309-7658 – email: david.kent@ufv.ca