Western Gazette Article on Mustangs

Men look to rebound

Western Gaztte
Kaitlyn McGrath   August 17, 2012

Classes may be a few weeks away, but the men’s basketball team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, the early season test against the University of South Alabama Jaguars didn’t go as planned.

 

Coming off a loss against the Windsor Lancers the previous night, the Jaguars came out strong and defeated the Mustangs 68-47 on August 14 at Alumni Hall.

 

Entering the game with only six practices under their belt, the Mustangs expected the NCAA Division I team to be a challenge. Nathan Di Loreto, Western’s leading scorer with 10 points in the game, explained they went into the game looking to outwork the opponent, but came up short with their offense.

 

“Overall we felt we played a solid game defensively, but offensively we shot the ball poorly and didn’t execute our plays as we should have,” he said.

 

Despite the loss, Mustangs head coach Brad Campbell found some positives about the outcome.

“These games are great because we can start early and evaluate individually where guys are in terms of conditioning and skill improvement,” he said. “It also gives new players a chance to experience intense practice and game situations before courses have even started.”

 

This season, with the departure of veteran point guard Ryan Barbeau, the Mustangs welcome a new class of prospects, including Niagara Falls native Jack Daneyko, who Campbell admits will have a strong impact on the team.

 

“We are very excited about our new recruits. Jack Daneyko has the ability to score and create offense as a big guard.”

 

After failing to make the playoffs last year, the Mustangs are looking to rebound this season. Veterans like Quinn Henderson, Adam Jespersen and Di Loreto hope to carry the team into the post-season.

 

“Our goal for this season is to make the playoffs and focus on improving as a team daily so we can get as deep into the playoffs as possible,” Di Loreto said.

 

The Mustangs won’t be tested again until a preseason game October 1 against Indiana’s Trine University. The Ontario University Athletics regular season starts on November 8 when Western plays the University of Ottawa.

Barbeau Unveils New Pro Uniform

Former Mustang Ryan Barbeau unvieled his German Pro Club Vilsbiburg's new unifrom this week.

9th Annual Ricoh Mustangs Basketball Golf Classic Re-cap

MBGC Champions Dave Wilson, Alex Brzozowicz, Brad Smith & Matt Curtis

July 20th 2012 Greenhills Golf & CC

It was another beautiful day at the 9th Annual Ricoh Mustangs Basketball Golf Classic. The foursome of Matt Curtis, Brad Smith, Dave Wilson and Alex Brzozowicz posted a winning score of -14 topping two groups with a score of -13. For the first time in the tournaments history there are repeat champions. Matt Curtis and Brad Smith also won the MBGC back in 2009. This year's tourney saw 100 golfers including more than 40 Basketball Alumni in attendance spanning over an amazing 8 decades (10,00,90,80,70,60,50,40-shout out to Jack Fairs). We would like to thank our Title sponsor RICOH again this year for there support as well as all the hole sponsors and prize donors. Please see below for all the tournament winners.

Tournament Champions: Matt Curtis, Brad Smith, Dave Wilson, Alex Brzozowicz -14

Hole #3 Closest to the Pin Sponsored by London Commercial Reality: Carl Grindstaff

Hole #6 Closest to the Pin: Tom Sills

Hole #8 Closest to the Pin: Rob Scholtes

Hole#12 Closest to the Pin: Peter Hawke

Hole #15 On the Green Draw: Jacob Hutchcroft, Jordan Smith, Pod Armstrong

Hole #18 Longest Drive Over 60: Doug Morton
                                       Under60: Jeff Schimdt

Bean Bag Toss: Paul VanCamp, Andrew VanCamp, Todd Wilbur, Todd Oosterman

Mustangs vs South Alabama Tues Aug.14 7pm

3rd Year Forward Quinn Henderson

Mustangs Athletics

LONDON, Ont. – Once again this season the Western Mustangs men’s basketball season will get off to an exciting start with a game against an NCAA Division I opponent. This year the University of South Alabama Jaguars are coming to London on August 14 to take on the Mustangs as part of a two-game Ontario swing that will also see them play the Windsor Lancers.

Mustangs Head Coach Brad Campbell is excited to be playing host to another American opponent and sees the game as a good test for his team.

“This game continues the tradition we have of playing quality NCAA Division I teams in August,” said Campbell. “It will be a great learning experience for our young team and it should help us prepare for the tough schedule we have this coming season.”

Jaguars Head Coach Ronnie Arrow also thinks the trip to Western will help his squad saying a similar trip to Quebec in 2008, and the extra practice time it provided, helped new players get up to speed with the returning roster.

“The last time we did this, we went to Canada and I thought it really helped our team,” said Arrow. “Normally, when the team is in summer school you can’t work with them. Now we’ll be able to get 10 days of practice in and get the new guys up to speed with the returning guys.”

Game time for the event is 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall. The Mustangs regular season gets underway on November 9 with an 8:00 p.m. tip-off against the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

With files from South Alabama Jaguars

X-FM Report On Barbeau & Wedemire Pro Signings

London X-FM's Jake Kislinsky reports on former Mustangs Ryan Barbeau and Andy Wedmire's current professional contract signings.

Wedemire Re-signs with Glasgow

Andrew Wedemire Re-signs With Glasgow Rocks

Friday, June 29th, 2012 (6:46 am) by SSM.

TORONTO, June 29, 2012 - Today Slan Sports Management is pleased to announce that Andrew Wedemire has re-signed with the Glasgow Rocks of the British Basketball League for the 2012-13 season.

Wedemire, a 6’6” forward from Sarnia, Ontario, played his rookie professional campaign for the Rocks, where he averaged 10.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. Wedemire recorded five double-doubles, while playing in all 36 British Basketball League games.

A two-time Ontario University Association West First Team All-Star, Wedemire was also a Second Team All-Canadian in his senior season at University of Western Ontario.

“I am thrilled to be back in Glasgow this season,” said Wedemire.  “Our team had the ability last year to win the championship and I hope this year we can realize that goal.”

The Rocks finished the regular season in fifth place with a 16-14 record.  They upset the fourth seeded Plymouth Raiders in the quarterfinals before succumbing to the second ranked Leicester Riders in the semi finals.

“Andy exceeded our expectations last season,” said Glasgow Rocks Head Coach, Sterling Davis. “The biggest positive we saw in him was his progression and ability to adjust as the season went along. I feel he has a lot more to give this league with his talent and we’re glad to have such a quality player and person back in our jersey.”

Ryan Barbeau Signs Pro Contract

Former Mustang PG Ryan Barbeau

CANADIAN RYAN BARBEAU SIGNS PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL CONTRACT IN GERMANY TORONTO, June 27, 2012 - Today Slan Sports Management is pleased to announce the signing of Ryan Barbeau to a one-year contract with Baskets Vilsbiburg. Barbeau, a 5’10” PG from Belleville, Ontario, recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario, where he played all five years. In his freshman and sophomore campaigns with the Mustangs, the school reached back-to-back national semi finals. This past season, Barbeau was the second leading scorer in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), averaging 24.2 points per game, to go along with 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Barbeau, an Ontario University Association West First Team All-Star, was also tops in the country, with 483 total points in his senior season. “My five years playing at the University of Western Ontario under Coach Brad Campbell have allowed me to develop as a basketball player, and I am very fortunate to be moving on to play professionally,” said Barbeau. “I am dedicated to helping Vilsbiburg add a new dimension, and helping the team win however I can.” Baskets Vilsbiburg finished the 2011-12 season tied for sixth out of 14 teams in the Regionalliga’s southeast division.“Signing Ryan was actually a quick decision, as he represents the kind of role model on and off the court that we were looking for,” said Head Coach of Baskets Vilsbiburg, Holger Prote. “He proved in his college career that he is a fighter who can lead the team, not only by scoring, but most importantly, with his attitude.” For more information and individual box scores on Ryan throughout the season, visit,www.slansportsmanagement.com. About Slan Sports ManagementSports Management (SSM) is a NBPA, WNBPA and FIBA licensed sports management firm.  SSM is dedicated to building and managing the careers of Canadian athletes. To learn more, visitwww.slansportsmanagement.com.