Men’s Basketball
Ravens fly back to top spot, playoffs loom in three conferences
Ottawa’s Natsuki Szczokin and Windsor's Thomas Kennedy are the U SPORTS basketball players of the week for the period ending February 19, 2023.
Natsuki Szczokin, Ottawa
Position: Guard
Hometown: Barrie, Ont.
Year of eligibility: 3
Academic program: Criminology
On Wednesday night, Natsuki Szczokin led the Ottawa Gee-Gees to a win against the previously top-ranked Carleton Ravens. The third-year guard collected 23 points in the 62-55 victory that broke the Ravens’ 12-game win streak.
Szczokin and the No. 8-ranked Gee-Gees return to action Wednesday night to begin the OUA playoffs against the Laurentian Voyageurs.
Thomas Kennedy, Windsor
Position: Forward
Hometown: Windsor, Ont.
Year of eligibility: 4
Academic program: Business
Thomas Kennedy picked up a pair of double-doubles this past weekend as he set school career marks for points (1,479) and blocks (117). In Wednesday’s 89-70 win against the Golden Hawks, Kennedy scored a game-high 31 points and added 16 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and a steal. On Saturday, the fourth-year business major continued the double-double streak for the seventh consecutive time, putting up 16 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, and three blocks in a hard-fought 74-73 defeat.
The Lancers' next game is on Saturday in an OUA quarterfinal, where they will host the winner of Wednesday’s Guelph-Lakehead match-up.