2006-07 Axemen experience Carleton
In the fall of 2006, it had been eight years since Acadia had been part of the field for the men's basketball nationals. Moreover, the 2005-2006 Axemen had gone 2-17.
In the fall of 2006, it had been eight years since Acadia had been part of the field for the men's basketball nationals. Moreover, the 2005-2006 Axemen had gone 2-17.
The 2006-2007 Axemen, though, confounded the experts, finishing the regular season at 14-6, including an 11-3 mark since Christmas. The Axemen had a number of potential offensive weapons, and played inspired defense as well.
In the AUBC playoffs, Acadia opened with a 77-66 win over Dalhousie. Senior co-captain Jordan Sheriko led the Axemen with 18 points, including four of five threes. Conference MVP Paulo Santana added 17, and Luckern Dieu and Shawn Berry 13 apiece.
Acadia took on St. F.X. in the semifinals and earned a 56-52 win. Berry and Peter Leighton led a balanced offense with 13 points each. Dieu added 12 and Achuil Lual and Andrew Krauss 11 apiece.
The Axemen met Saint Mary's, upset 66-62 winners over Cape Breton in their semifinal, for the AUBC championship. Trailing by 16 with 12 minutes left, Acadia roared back to tie the score, then claimed a dramatic 74-72 victory in overtime.
Lual, who had sat out the 2005-2006 season following knee surgery, was Player of the Game with 17 rebounds to go along with 11 points, four assists and three blocks. Berry and Leighton led the offense with 13 points apiece, Dieu had 12 and Krauss 11. Wolfville native Sheriko was the tournament MVP.
Acadia's unexpected conference title had very little sway with the seeding committee for the 45th nationals, played in Halifax for a 24th straight season. The Axemen were seeded eighth, and drew the four-time defending national champion Carleton Ravens in the quarter-final round.
In a forgettable contest from Acadia's perspective, the Axemen suffered an 86-38 defeat. Santana, with 12 points to go along with nine rebounds, was the only Acadia player to reach double figures.
The Axemen played much better, particularly on offense, in their consolation semifinal against UBC the next day, despite ending up on the short end of an 83-69 score. Acadia led by as many as 15 points early, but the T-Birds reduced the lead to 38-35 at halftime, then won the second half 48-31.
Sheriko made his final appearance as an Acadia player one of his best, finishing with 28 points and making seven of nine threes. Santana added 11, Dieu nine, and Lual had nine points and nine rebounds.
With most of the team returning for 2007-2008 and red-shirt Leo Saintil able to play, the future for the Axemen appeared bright indeed.