CREDIT: FANSHAWE ATHLETICS
Fanshawe centre Darcy Young goes to work against Redeemer last season.

Last year, the Fanshawe men's basketball team captured bronze at the OCAA championships, and this year they're striving for gold.

Captain Darcy Young is a firstyear student in the Human Services Program, and he has high hopes for himself and the team this year. "For me personally, I want to develop my game, but as a team, I'd like to see us succeed and compete for the gold medal, get to nationals." At the end of last season, Coach Glenn Johnston resigned after 35 years with the team; it was a big change, but Young said he's impressed with the new coaches, including head coach Tony Marcotullio. "Coaching staff is really intense, and I really enjoy them. It's a really big difference from last year, but it's a good experience as well."

The Falcons are hoping to improve after finishing fifth in the OCAA West Region with a 12-6 record during the regular season last year. "One thing we need to work on now is our communication," said Young. "That's a big thing that the coaches are stressing, if we can get our communication in and working properly, then we should be a good team."

They have been training hard in the off-season to develop into a more physical team. "Coach sent us all some preseason workout drills, weights, cardio, shooting," said Young. Right now, the team practices five times a week, and during the season will play one to two games per week.

Sometimes being a student and captain of the basketball team becomes a balancing act. "It's always an ongoing challenge," admitted Young. "You really need to schedule your time, find time for sleep and for your studies as well." Heading into his second year as captain and fourth year with the team, Young said he finds it important for the team to be there for each other all the time, "Just communicating with your team, and being there for them, and supporting them on and off the court. If they need help with schoolwork, they can come to me."

The team's first exhibition game is scheduled for October 3 against Laurier, with the regular season starting off in November. Young said that Humber is usually the top team to look out for, as well as Niagara and Sheridan, but he's confident that Fanshawe will come out strong. "Our point guard Boyd Vassell, he's always very skilled and a difficult player to guard. All our 'bigs' are coming in too; we have a couple big guys transferring over and I'm back as well. So I'll just say look out for the whole team, 'cuz we're gonna be dangerous."