Axemen open exhibition season with wins vs Crandall

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Axemen basketball team wrapped up their first weekend taste of exhibition basketball with two wins against the visiting Crandall University Chargers. The games open up a busy schedule over the next three weeks with the Axemen visiting Brandon, Man., Ottawa, Ont. and Syndey, N.S. - all tournament action against CIS opponents.

This weekend's home exhibition games against Crandall, who play in the ACAA (Alantic Colleges Athletic Association), offered an opportunity to see new faces in the Axemen lineup along with those who return with a bit of rust on after a six month layoff from AUS basketball.

Without perennial AUS All-Stars Owen Klassen, Anthony Ashe and Anthony Sears, the Axemen will be looking to the younger players who were waiting in the wings.

This weekend's starting five for the Axemen included rookie Ben Miller along with third year Axemen Shaquille Smith, AJ Simmonds, Kyle Arseneault and Rhys Larry.

The Axemen handed Crandall an 89-65 loss on Friday night followed by today's 99-74 loss. Leading the Axemen in points over two games was Kyle Arseneault who posted 46 points over two games with a high 34 points on Friday night. Friday's performance included 7 for 9 from the three point line and 11 for 16 from the floor.

Today, Shaquille Smith grabbed player of the game honours with 27 points and a 45 point total for two games including today's 3 for 3 from the distant arc and 8 for 18 field goal play.

Miller, considered the best grab for the Axemen in the off-season recruiting game, played 50 minutes in two games, netting 15 points - a game high 10 points in his first game with the Axemen uniform on.

Other notable new faces that got playing time included Nick De Palma who posted 19 points; Nick Ernest who 21 points and 11 rebounds in two games.

Returning vets performances included AJ Simmonds who grabbed 19 points including today's 17 points along with 7 assists on the weekend and big man Rhys Larry who pulled down 13 boards and 13 points in two games.

The Chargers' Thomarcus Nix, named player of the game in both matchups, netted a team high 17 and 21 points, while teammate Nathaniel Caesar had a team high 16 rebounds over two games including 10 in today's game.

First year head coach, Kevin Duffie was pleased with the play of a young team and noted the importance of the weekend games. "It was a great opportunity to get a measure of where we are as a team and what we need to work on moving forward', pointed out Duffie. "We saw different things from a lot of different guys that we are excited about, and we have a few things that we need to tighten up, especially on the defensive end."
 
"Overall I was happy with our compete level and that is going to be crucial for us heading into November and the start of league play", added Duffie.

The Axemen will prepare for travel to Brandon, Man. to play against the Brandon Bobcats in two games and then return home for a short time to prepare for a tournament in Ottawa that includes games against reigning CIS Champions Carleton Ravens, Lava and Waterloo.