Written by JASON PETERS
Citizen staff
|
|
Wednesday, 08 October 2008 |
Related Items
NORTHERN SPORT CENTRECLARENCE FULTONLAST SATURDAYRED DEERTHOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY WOLFPACK
At five-foot-seven, he doesn't have a typical frame for basketball. But Rybachuk, a rookie point guard for the UNBC Northern Timberwolves, has never let his height hold him down. And he's not going to let his lack of altitude be a problem now.
Rybachuk can launch the outside shot against taller defenders. He'll also bust to the hoop and challenge the bigger boys to stop him. Often, he'll score. If not, he'll draw a foul or dish the ball off to an open teammate.
Last Saturday night at the Northern Sport Centre, Rybachuk had these and other qualities on display when the Timberwolves took on the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. He finished with 14 points in just under 15 minutes of playing time and helped the T-wolves beat the WolfPack 76-69.
"I don't think Joel would ever like to be referred to as a small guy -- he thinks he's the biggest guy in the gym every time he's out there," said UNBC head coach Mike Raimbault. "He's got that type of heart."
Last season, Rybachuk was a Grade 12 player at Clarence Fulton secondary school in Vernon and was a key reason why his team placed third at the double-A provincial championship tournament. At the conclusion of the event, he was selected as a first-team all-star.
Post-secondary coaches took notice. Thompson Rivers, a Canadian Interuniversity Sport team, offered him a roster spot but he turned it down.
Fortunately for the Timberwolves, he ended up in a UNBC uniform and will have a chance to stand tall in the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association.
"I didn't think I was ready for the CIS yet, to be honest," Rybachuk said of his decision to walk away from the Thompson Rivers program. "(UNBC) was a good school because I knew they were recruiting hard for nationals (March 19-21 at the Sport Centre). I knew I would be playing with some good players."
In the Saturday game, the 18-year-old Rybachuk played in a backup role to 21-year-old Inderbir Gill.
"He's a good point guard to play behind," Rybachuk said. "He's teaching me lots already. He's older than me, he's stronger than me and everyday in practice I'm learning more and more."
Rybachuk and his teammates have road exhibition games today through Sunday. Today at Calgary's SAIT, they will tip off against Mount Royal College. On Friday, UNBC will play the host SAIT team and, on Saturday, the T-wolves will step onto the court against St. Mary's College. Then, on Sunday, the UNBC men will be in Red Deer to battle Red Deer College.
n The female Timberwolves, fresh off a 1-2 performance at a SAIT tournament last weekend, are right back in Calgary. They'll be at Mount Royal College today through Saturday for contests against Red Deer College, Mount Royal and Lethbridge. On Sunday, the T-wolves will stop in Red Deer for a rematch against that team.
Both UNBC squads will start the BCCAA regular season Nov. 7 in Nanaimo against the Vancouver Island University Mariners.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
