Todd Warnick's Mariners: The Highs & Lows of the Early 2000s

Matt Kuzminski's VIU Mariners are everything a CCAA team aspires to be: Dominant on the court, revolutionary off of it. Blessed with six conference titles and two national titles in his tenure alone, it's hard to imagine the Mariners as anything less than the gold standard of the PACWEST.

Fans who were around in the early 2000s don't have to imagine. Not far removed from their contending form in the 1990s, the Mariners (called the Malaspina Mariners at the time) could hardly be described as competitive.

When Mark Simpson stepped down as in 2000, things unraveled. Interim head coach Sharon Hamilton tried her absolute hardest, but couldn't elevate the Mariners to more than two wins. Unsurprisingly, Hamilton didn't return to Malaspina, and the Mariners, sensing an impending rebuild, chose their next head coach accordingly.

Born in Lloydminster and raised in Calgary, Todd Warnick was only 25 years old when he came to the island. The situation he came into was simultaneously the best and worst for a first time head coach. Malaspina featured no returning players from the prior season, so he wouldn't have to deal with rebellion from those who had played under Simpson or Hamilton.

However, most of those players were old enough to be in high school at the same time as him.

Warnick had only just learned how to drive, and Malaspina had given him the keys to a broken down Bugatti.

2001-02

Malaspina's general inexperience showed on opening night, where they fell to the good-but-not-great Kwantlen Eagles 74-95. A rough loss, to be sure, but the foundation for a good team could be there. Lots of champions have gotten off to slow starts; maybe they just need time to gel together.

The Mariners then lost their next twelve games.

It remains the longest streak in team history, punctuated by a 102-57 drubbing against Fraser Valley and a 97-65 loss to a Cariboo lineup that featured current VIU assistant coach Scott Marr.

Their lone win came against the reigning BCCAA silver medalists, the Langara Falcons, in a 70-68 thriller in Langley. The first win of Todd Warnick's career would be the only one that season, as the Mariners finished in the conference's cellar at 1-17.

Malaspina's best scorer that year was Dave Bains, who averaged 17.6 points per game. Eddie Kunderman and Trevor Sihota weren't far behind with 15.6 and 12.1 respectively.

Franjo Crnkovic led them in rebounding, but his 5.8 average was a far cry from the conference's elite.

Djmith Ndiaye led the team in swinging the rock, averaging just under four assists per game, while Sihota and Kunderman were also in the BCCAA's top 25 in that category.

2002-03

The good thing about hitting rock bottom is that there's nowhere to go but up.

Malaspina opened the new season with another road win against Langara, this time by only one point. With wins against two playoff-caliber teams in Capilano, Kwantlen, and UNBC, the future looked bright for the Mariners. At 4-2, especially this early in the season, they could make noise once provincials rolled around.

Unfortunately, the wheels fell off after their hot start and the Mariners lost eight of their last twelve, finishing two games out of the playoffs at 8-10.

Though Malaspina missed the playoffs again, the foundation for success was there, especially with Dave Bains' continued excellence alongside his new wingman, Luke Robinson. The two averaged 16 points per game each while getting help from Andrew Sturgeon and Drew Kuzminski, the latter of whom led the BCCAA in rebounds with 12.2 per game.

2003-04

The 2003 offseason saw the Mariners undergo a similar talent drain, albeit not to the same extent as in Warnick's first year. With both Dave Bains and Luke Robinson out of the picture, Malaspina put their trust in the three-headed monster of Graham Giske, Joseph Moro, and Jordan Kinakin.

Much like 2002, the Mariners finished near the bottom at 4-14, but still finished ahead of the dismal Okanagan Lakers. While their defense was respectable, Malaspina's undoing was their conference-worst offense, barely kept afloat by Graham Giske's 14.3 points per game.

Jordan Kinakin, in addition to being in the top half in scoring, narrowly finished second in rebounds, while Joseph Moro finished fifth in assists.

Malaspina's lack of depth, primarily scoring depth, turned a potential watershed season into just another statistic.

2004-05

The BCCAA was gifted an extra nationals berth for the upcoming tournament in Edmonton, and the Mariners wanted to make it count. In addition to Bains' return, the Mariners had picked up two strong players in point guard Richard Boyland and small forward Jason Hubbs.

A 4-2 start gave reason for optimism, but the Mariners knew not to count their chickens before they hatched. They started 4-2 and missed the playoffs just two seasons ago, and feared a similar result here.

A road victory over Camosun eased Malaspina's worries, but consecutive losses to Langara and Capilano quickly brought them back to reality.

Another loss to Fraser Valley lowered Malaspina's record back to .500, where the Mariners would remain for the bulk of the remaining schedule.

With the BCCAA as tight as it was, the distance between the second place Capilano Blues and the sixth place Malaspina Mariners was only two games. With one game remaining, all the Mariners had to do was beat Capilano to edge out Camosun for the final playoff spot.

They emerged victorious, 89-76, ending the season at 10-8.

For the first time in half a decade, the Mariners were going to the playoffs.

Awaiting them in the first round were the mighty UNBC Timberwolves, led by former Mariner Andrew Sturgeon.

The Mariners didn't care, clawing out a 71-68 victory to advance to the conference semifinals, where they would face the Capilano Blues.

Though Capilano kept it close, the Mariners were undeterred. They won 74-70, punching their ticket to both the conference title game and nationals.

Though they fell to Cariboo in said title game, this was easily the greatest season Malaspina had experienced since the mid-90's. Jason Hubbs led the conference with 23 points per game and was named BCCAA Player of the Year, while Jordan Kinakin continued to dominate the boards and Richard Boyland finished third in assists.

Malaspina's nationals run began with a dud. The powerhouse Humber Hawks dismissed the Mariners in the quarterfinals, forcing them to the bronze bracket with a 79-63 victory. The Mariners took that personally in the bronze quarterfinal matchup against King's College, throttling the Blue Devils 86-64.

A 92-83 win over Vanier set Malaspina up for a bronze medal rematch with Humber, who had been eliminated by Grant MacEwan earlier in the tournament. Though the game was close, the Mariners pulled away for a 69-61 victory, earning their first national medal since winning it all in 1994.

This victory was the exclamation point for a magical season, and what many hoped could be the start of a new era for Malaspina.

2005-06

With conference and national medals in tow, the Mariners opened the 2005-06 season with high expectations, made even higher by hosting that year's BCCAA playoffs. With the departure of Jason Hubbs and many others that offseason, Malaspina turned to Henry Bui to run their offense.

Yet another talent drain left the Mariners weakened, as a 1-5 start doomed any playoff aspirations they might have had. A 6-12 finish was their reward as they were forced to watch Fraser Valley and Camosun battle for the conference crown on their court.

Bui did all he could to lead the skeleton crew, finishing eighth in points per game. Colin Cook and Colin Novak led Malaspina in rebounds and assists respectively, but as had been the case in every even year before then, one issue plagued the Mariners.

They couldn't win on the road, and their home record wasn't good enough to compensate. Their lone win away from home came in a 76-62 shocker at UNBC.

After the season, Todd Warnick received word from his wife that his first child was due. Out of a desire to spend time closer to home with his family, Warnick resigned as Malaspina's head coach, ending his tenure in Nanaimo with a 29-61 record, a conference silver medal, and a national bronze medal.

Where Are They Now?

After his departure from the Mariners, Warnick would shift his focus to women's basketball. First, he took the head coaching job at Concordia University of Edmonton, leading the Thunder to an ACAC title in 2008. He was later hired as the women's basketball coach at NAIT, where he led the Ooks on several provincial and national playoff runs, including a national bronze finish in 2016 and culminating in a national title in 2022, ironically against VIU in Nanaimo. He is currently the head coach at Lakeland.

The Mariners hired Nanaimo native and former Mariner Tony Bryce in the 2006 offseason, where he slowly built the Mariners back up, culminating in a BCCAA title in 2011, their first conference title since 1996. He would also resign in 2012, giving way for the Mariners to hire Matt Kuzminski, and the rest is history.

Mariners Beef Up Post Presence, Sign Kaleb Wilson

When Breandan McLaughlin went down again, many Mariners fans rightfully panicked, as he was the closest thing to a conventional center the Mariners had.

They don't need to panic anymore.

Meet Kaleb Wilson, a 6'11 center from the mean streets of San Diego. He spent his first two seasons at Southwestern Community College in the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), where he averaged over four blocks per game on a Jaguars team that averaged the second most blocks in the state.

The Mariners have needed someone like Wilson for a long time. The last truly dominant post threat they called their own was Jerod Dorby, who won a national title with the team in 2019. They've had many good ones since, such as Adam Anhold and the aforementioned McLaughlin, but none that can posterize an innocent defender just because they feel like it.

Health is still a major concern: Both McLaughlin and Kai Leighton have missed significant time with injury, and one mishap is all it takes for the Mariners to spiral back into small ball purgatory. If he can stay healthy and get up to speed with VIU's fast-paced offense, there's no telling what they can do.

Midseason Predictions and Picks For Every PACWEST Award

Bring your ball gown and tuxedo, everyone. It's time for an awards ceremony.

Since I've got nothing better do during the break, I figured I might as well have some fun and give midseason awards. Not only should this be an opportunity for me to recap the PACWEST at the season's midway point, it'll also be fun to revisit when the actual awards are given after the season.

Each award will have one winner, as determined by me, as well as up to three finalists. Players may be finalists for multiple awards, but I'll try to give each award a unique winner.

Before I name any awards, I want to reiterate that while I'm taking an unbiased and objective view in my selection process, this is all based on my opinion and mine alone. I did not collaborate with anyone at VIU, the PACWEST, or the CCAA in making this, so if this offends you, don't give them grief for it.

With that out of the way, let's get this party started.

Most Valuable Player

This award goes to the player deemed to be most valuable to their team. Emphasis is placed on players with both high offensive and defensive stats, as well as how much they contribute to their team's success.

M - David Finch, Camosun Chargers

Just when you thought he couldn't get any better.

In his fourth season with the Chargers, David Finch is on track to set career highs in almost every major stat. Points, assists, rebounds, you name it.

He's also served as the face of the Chargers in the 2020s, helping forge their identity as a no-nonsense, grit and grind-esque team that thrives in the paint. Finch has gotten it done from anywhere on the court, whether it be in the midrange, from deep, or on the defensive end.

Whether Finch returns to the Chargers for a fifth year is still to be determined, but even if he doesn't, his spot in Chargers history has never been more secure. A statue on Interurban Road is in his future.

Other nominees: Phil Holmes (OKA), Derrick Monroe (DOU), Kye Kotapski-Tinga (VIU)

W - Mackenzie Dalphond, Douglas Royals

Brief as Dalphond's career has been to this point, she's one of the most decorated players in the PACWEST.

While she isn't the best player in any stat, she's one of the best all-around players in the conference.

Third in points.

Second in rebounds.

Third in blocks.

All of this while being the centerpiece of Douglas' high-octane offense makes Dalphond one of the elite players in the conference and a potential national hero if the cards fall right.

Other nominees: Maddy Coffin (CAP), Kagari Tomita (CBC), Antonella Luraghi (OKA)

Most Improved Player

This award goes to a player, often in their second year with their team, who made the greatest improvement from the year prior. This is most often measured in points per game, but other factors, such as defensive contributions and leadership, hold significance.

M - Dane-Dre Anglin, CBC Bearcats

Dane-Dre Anglin went from a bench player in 2024-25 to the conference's leading scorer at the break, with his fellow guard D'andre Palmer-Ormsby right behind him. Palmer-Ormsby's absence to start the season forced Anglin to step up, and he's filled his shoes quite nicely.

In addition to his league-best 22.4 points per game, Anglin is also averaging 7.3 rebounds and just under a steal per game, and is on pace to double his total points from last season.

The sophomore wing is having a season to remember in Abbotsford, and is on his way to being one of the all-time greats to wear the blue and red.

Other nominees: Kye Kotapski-Tinga (VIU), Patrick Robinson (LAN), Owen Jones (CAM)

W - Kiayra Hohlweg, VIU Mariners

Last season, Hohlweg was your quintessential bench guard: Didn't start any games, but saw lots of time on the second unit and could hit the occasional three.

This season, Hohlweg has seen not just an increased role, but a different one entirely. Harriette Mackenzie's departure left a power vacuum at center, where Tony Bryce tabbed the soon-to-be fourth-year wing to fill in.

So far, it's worked wonders. She's had to battle for frontcourt minutes with Sarah Cook and the young Annabelle Neufeld, but she seems to have a grip on the starting center spot.

Key's made the most of it, averaging 8.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while posting multiple double-doubles. Her guard DNA is still present, as she's capable of attacking the basket from anywhere.

Small ball has its downsides in a big-dominant conference like the PACWEST, but Hohlweg and the Mariners have found the key to making it work.

Other nominees: Hyewon Hwang (CBC), Trista Thorn (VIU), Coti Lopez (OKA)

6th Man of the Year

This award goes to a player who has started less than 60% of their team's games, but regularly plays meaningful minutes.

M - James Zongo, Langara Falcons

James Zongo can score.

I mean, he can really light it up.

Famous for his 56-point game with Tupper, Zongo has had a similar offensive impact for the Falcons. Despite only having one start to his name, the Vancouver native is averaging just under 13 points per game.

He forms the muscle of Langara's guard rotation, where his skillset is complemented especially well by the more traditional point guard Luka Subotic and defensive specialist Keito Kusaki.

For those in the back, he's a true freshman.

Langara has found their replacement for Cameron Vaughn in their own backyard. If all goes to plan, he could be the face of the Falcons for half a decade.

Other nominees: Jesse Connoly (DOU), Tyler Synesael (CAM), Levi Van Egdom (VIU)

W - Kaia Simpson, VIU Mariners

VIU and the state of North Carolina have had a good relationship as of late.

Only a year removed from Makayla Kimble's graduation, her fellow countryman Kaia Simpson has taken her place, both in output and leadership. She leads the PACWEST in free throw percentage while headlining VIU's second unit.

She hasn't started a single game this season, yet has led multiple games in scoring, including crucial tilts against Capilano and Camosun.

With the Mariners poised to go on another playoff run, the time is right for Simpson's last hurrah north of the border.

Other nominees: Sarah Cook (VIU), Lucia Lopez (CAP), Isabell Nicholson (LAN)

Rookie of the Year

This award goes to the player in their first year of eligibility deemed to have the largest impact on their team's success.

M - Alfonso Reyes, Capilano Blues

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition.

Not even Douglas, who fell victim to Alfonso Reyes' 24-point, 8-rebound debut.

Reyes' first season in the PACWEST has been outstanding. The 6'6 forward has established himself as one of the stronger rebounders in the conference, sitting fourth in boards per game while leading the Blues in blocks per game.

Mind you, he's doing all of this while playing mostly on Capilano's second unit.

The Blues have a history of developing strong players, such as Tyrone Asenoguan and Denver Sparks-Guest. Reyes looks to be the next in a line of excellence for the defending PACWEST champions.

Other nominees: Olan Smith (DOU), Trevon Roots (OKA), Thomas Beames (CAM)

W - Antonella Luraghi, Okanagan Coyotes

As rough as the first semester was for the Coyotes, at least they have one thing to smile about.

Luraghi led the conference in scoring deep into November, and while Maddy Coffin overtook her in the final week of the semester, she still leads the conference in three point percentage and assists while averaging the second most rebounds per game out of any player.

Not bad for a first year point guard.

Given her prior experience at the club level in Paraguay, this isn't surprising. If the Coyotes can turn the corner and make a run for the playoffs, Luraghi could be in the conversation for MVP.

Other nominees: Maliyah Mendoza (CAM), Lucia Lopez (CAP), Aysia Kumar (VIU)

Grad of the Year

This award goes to the player in their final year of eligibility that demonstrates the best combination of skill and leadership.

M - Peter Li, Capilano Blues

By now, we've all seen Kevin Durant's infamous article in the Players' Tribune following his controversial decision to sign with Golden State. Many VIU fans feel the same way about Peter, especially in the wake of VIU's loss to Capilano in last year's conference title game.

Blues fans hold no ill will towards the Kitsilano alum, and his stellar play has a lot to do with that. Li's supporting cast is the strongest it's ever been, and that's saying something for someone whose teammate won MVP last season. He's currently averaging career highs in points and assists while riding shotgun with Kash Lang, who leads the conference in field goal percentage.

Just as Zach Klim has become a leader for Capilano's forwards, Li is the same for the Blues backcourt, made even more impressive by his short service time in North Vancouver, only four months at the time of writing.

Li doesn't lead through speeches, he leads through example and stellar play. Everyone on the Blues, from the guards to the forwards and even the coaching staff and redshirts, is made better through Li. He knows what it means to win, and is determined to be on the right side of history this time.

Other nominees: Kai Leighton (VIU), Kash Lang (CAP), Zach Klim (CAP)

W - Elissa Vreugdenhil, CBC Bearcats

No other player has been as consistently good this decade as Elissa Vreugdenhil. She epitomizes what it means to be a CBC Bearcat: Determined to win, no matter the cost.

The two-time reigning PACWEST MVP was originally on CBC's coaching staff to begin the year, but has since returned to the court. With Kayanna Jackson arriving over the summer, she's had a decreased role so far; Vreugdenhil has played in only eight games, none of them starts.

In those eight games, she's been as strong as ever. Her nine rebounds per game are the third most in the conference.

Let's not forget the leadership aspect: CBC is well prepared for Elissa's impending departure, as they've grabbed their center of the future in Brooklyn Klim. As both a player and coach, Vreugdenhil can be trusted to develop Klim into the kind of player Capilano imagined when they signed her in 2024.

Despite CBC's shaky end to the semester, they're not going away any time soon, and Vreugdenhil is a big reason why. It may be time for city officials to think about renaming a street or two in her honor.

Other nominees: Mackenzie Cox (VIU), Lauren Tomlinson (CAP), Laini Glover (DOU)

Best Offseason Add

This award goes to a player in their first season with a team, freshman or otherwise, deemed to have the largest impact to their team.

M - Aaron Ungprasert, Langara Falcons

Aaron took some time to develop, but it was time well spent. The former VIU and Capilano commit has made the most of a starting gig with Langara, averaging 14.2 points per game while being fifth in blocks. He's eclipsed the 20-point plateau twice this season, scoring 24 points in an overtime loss to VIU before dropping 26 on the Blues one week later.

As Langara's starting power forward, most of their interior offense runs through him and fellow sophomore Nixon Owusu. Between the two of them, Ungprasert has shouldered more of the offensive load.

Don't let Langara's record fool you. They're a dangerous team when at their peak, and Ungprasert is a big reason why.

Other nominees: Derrick Monroe (DOU), Phil Holmes (OKA), Zach Hamed (CAP)

W - Sammy Shields, VIU Mariners

Shields has had a strange career to this point. The talent has always been there; you don't score 38 points in middle school by accident.

Unfortunately, college coaches didn't seem to agree, as her stays at Calgary and San Jose State were rather uneventful.

At VIU, Shields finally gets to show her potential, and what potential it is. She only trails Trista Thorn in points per game on the team, but has a firm grip on a starting role as a do-it-all guard.

VIU's stingy defense leads the league in steals, while Shields is third among all players in that category.

Shields is a leader on one of the CCAA's youngest teams, and her seamless transition to the PACWEST game has the Mariners in prime position to defend their conference title.

Other nominees: Jayci Chase (CAM), Annabelle Neufeld (VIU), Kendal Dueck (CBC)

Defensive Player of the Year

This award goes to the player with the strongest defensive impact. Emphasis will be placed primarily on steals and blocks, though rebounds and forced turnovers will also be considered.

M - Lakeeb Hughes, CBC Bearcats

Hughes faced a tall task in replacing Spencer Dododza on the defensive end, but he more than lived up to it.

The Baltimore native is averaging over a block per game and is the backbone of a fierce starting lineup alongside Dane-Dre Anglin and D'andre Palmer-Ormsby.

Given CBC's defensive struggles this season, Hughes' numbers look even stronger in comparison. If he can get some help on that side of the ball, the Bearcats could very quickly become a team no one wants to face when March rolls around.

Other nominees: Winston Cole (VIU), Ryan Bastian (VIU), Phil Holmes (OKA)

W - Jayci Chace, Camosun Chargers

Connections go a long way in life. In Jayci's case, that connection is John Dedrick, who's molded her into the kind of player that others see in their nightmares.

Chase's stats speak for themself: She's the only player in the PACWEST averaging over a block per game, and is no slouch offensively, being third on the Chargers in points per game.

Her strong play has the Chargers in conversation for a playoff spot, where her ability to shut down some of the stronger players in the conference will go a long way if the Chargers want to win their first PACWEST title since 2009.

Other nominees: Lauren Clements (DOU), Kaia Simpson (VIU), Lauren Tomlinson (CAP)

Coach of the Year

This award goes to the coach deemed to have the largest impact from both a tactical and motivational standpoint.

M - Dino Gini, Okanagan Coyotes

Around this time last year, the Coyotes were at rock bottom. In the midst of a two-win campaign, they were the joke of the conference.

This year, they've already doubled last year's win total and are a dark horse for a PACWEST championship.

A big reason for that is Dino Gini, the only coach the Coyotes have ever known. Many of Okanagan's top contributors, such as Noah Steingart and Phil Holmes, weren't on the Coyotes last year, yet have played like they've been in a Gini system since birth.

Gini deserves credit for not only recruiting these players, but utilizing them to the height of their powers.

Okanagan's old dog is still learning new tricks.

Other nominees: Matt Kuzminski (VIU), Jake Wilmott (CAM)

W - Tony Bryce, VIU Mariners

Rebuilding? Yeah, right.

VIU's roster turnover has been well publicized. The losses of several players, including two key forwards in Mackenzie Hall and Colleen Nkrumah, led many to believe that the 2025-26 season for the Mariners would be a rebuilding year.

At the break, the Mariners aren't too far off from that. They're the top team in the PACWEST, getting contributions from all around the lineup while having a bench player lead multiple games in scoring.

Nothing special.

The general youth of VIU's roster has allowed Bryce to mold them in his image. He made a point of acquiring strong two-way guards, such as Aysia Kumar and Mikella Campanile. His focus on defense is evidenced by the Mariners conference-best steals per game.

If this is what he can do with kids pulled right out of high school, bright days are on the horizon in Nanaimo.

Other nominees: Chris Weimer (CAP), Steve Beauchamp (DOU)

Mariners Sign Keyonte Beals

Few people in Nanaimo are happier than Kye Kotapski-Tinga. He leads the Mariners in points per game and is a lock for at least a PACWEST all-star bid.

As a Christmas present, the Mariners reunited him with one of his buddies from Antigonish.

Keyonte Beals has seen success at every level he's played. He spent the prior two seasons at St. Francis Xavier, helping lead them to the national title game in 2023. Last season, he averaged 12.4 points per game on 43.8% shooting, including a 37.1% clip from beyond the arc. He gets most of his work done on the perimeter, meaning he'll fit right in to Matt Kuzminski's fast-paced motion offense.

The X-Men used a guard-heavy lineup last season, mostly feeding the ball to DJ Jackson and his team-high 24.4 points per game. VIU's offense uses an even stronger perimeter presence, largely due to the absences of Markus Modrovic and Breandan McLaughlin.

Adding Beals to VIU's guard room transforms their already lethal offense into a unit that can compete with the top teams in the country. With Markus Modrovic's return set to beef up the defense, this team is primed for a national title run.

Men's Weekend Recap: Cobra Kai

Two nationally ranked teams squared off in Nanaimo last weekend as the Mariners looked to keep the Chargers from stealing their PACWEST crown.

Friday - VIU 62, Camosun 67

What a game.

Kai Leighton returned to the Mariners lineup, but at the cost of Breandan McLaughlin, who many believe re-aggravated his ACL. With Markus Modrovic still sidelined, the Mariners faced a tall task against the conference's best defense.

A three from Kye Kotapski-Tinga got the party started, but a pair of layups from rookie wing Thomas Beames gave the Chargers a lead they would not soon relinquish.

A 21-15 lead was Camosun's to cherish, but an and-one layup from Rylan Adams started a VIU rally. Every player got in on the action, taking a narrow lead on an Ekman Sohal three, which was quickly erased by a free throw from Beames. He and Bastian traded layups to end the half, leaving the Mariners and Chargers deadlocked at 34.

The equality was put on full display in the third quarter, but the Mariners pulled away at the two-minute warning. Kai Leighton hit a three to increase the VIU lead to six, but that's as large as the lead would get for the Mariners.

The Chargers got to work in the fourth, slowly chipping away at the lead. A three from offseason acquisition Owen Jones put the Chargers up for good, and a pair of Beames layups gave the Chargers a narrow victory.

Thomas Beames went positively nuclear, scoring 25 points on 67% shooting, including a layup with six seconds left to put the game out of reach. He also added seven rebounds and two steals.

VIU's leading scorer was Kye Kotapski-Tinga with 13. He compensated for his unusually low outcome with four steals and five boards.

Saturday - VIU 84, Camosun 76

This weekend played eerily similar to Camosun's last trip up the Malahat: They grinded out a win on Friday and tried to do the same the day after, but ran out of gas in the second half.

A nine-point lead near the end of the first spelled doom for the Mariners, but a strong second quarter gave them a one-point lead going into the half.

David Finch put the team on his back, and a Jakob Neufeld layup gave the Chargers a one-point lead halfway through the third, but they would never lead again. The Mariners clamped Finch and Thomas Beames, and Camosun's interior offense couldn't keep up with VIU's perimeter assault as they earned a decisive weekend split, earning back full possession of the PACWEST's top seed.

Kai Leighton reacquired his starting role and made the most of it, scoring a game-high 22 points while adding nine rebounds and four assists, coming one board shy of a double-double. Ekman Sohal befell a similar fate, recording 10 points and a steal.

Thomas Beames had a quiet showing after the prior night's breakout, only scoring nine points on 25% shooting. David Finch instead led the way for the Chargers, scoring 17 points. Cormick Brown and Owen Jones were close behind with 12 and 10 respectively.

The Mariners, once again the top seed in the conference, head into the holiday break with several questions and less answers. McLaughlin's injury leaves VIU's post presence in limbo, but Markus Modrovic's return should tighten up VIU's defense, especially in the midrange. Matt Kuzminski has also told me that reinforcements are on the way, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The Mariners come out of the break to host the CBC Bearcats on January 9th and 10th.

Women's Weekend Recap: Old Habits Die Hard

The Mariners, eyeing sole possession of the PACWEST crown, looked to keep the ball rolling in the first installment of the Island Rivalry.

Friday - VIU 60, Camosun 40

As is tradition, Rogers TV took their yearly voyage up the Malahat to carry the game on Friday.

As is also tradition, the Mariners boasted superiority over their cousins to the south.

A 19-7 lead after the first quarter would've been enough of a cushion, especially for VIU's airtight defense, but an and-one layup from Kaia Simpson at the buzzer increased it even more, and the Mariners would never trail again.

Another buzzer beater from Kaia Simpson gave the Mariners just enough a large enough push to cruise to their seventeenth consecutive victory over the Chargers.

Kaia Simpson, Rachel Labrador, and Camosun's Jordyn Broekhuizen all tied for the game lead with 11 points. Simpson added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Trista Thorn led VIU's starters with eight points and three steals.

Saturday - VIU 66, Camosun 47

Camosun kept it interesting this time around: They led on multiple occasions and dominated most of the first half, but they ran out of gas in the second. A bombardment of midrange shots and timely defense propelled the Mariners to sole possession of first place in an extremely tight PACWEST.

Trista Thorn and Sammy Shields led the way for VIU, combining for 34 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

Kanda Diop's return to the starting lineup was disappointing. Camosun's star center only recorded four points and fouled out.

Maliyah Mendoza and Jordyn Broekhuizen once again shouldered the offensive load for the Chargers, combining for almost a third of Camosun's points with 15. Jayci Chase and Kaia Simpson recorded ten rebounds each, both coming one point shy of a double-double.

The Mariners, victors of eighteen straight against the Chargers and newly-appointed head of the PACWEST pecking order, come out of the holiday break with a long-awaited rematch with the defending national champions, the CBC Bearcats.

Women's Weekend Recap: You Blue It

Shooting has been hard to come by for the Mariners, especially in recent weeks. Against the best defensive team in the conference, Tony Bryce's team faces a tall task.

Friday - VIU 63, Capilano 53

Wanna see the Mariners beat the Blues at their own game?

An even, if low-scoring first quarter saw the Mariners stonewall the Blues, then finish the second quarter on a 16-6 run.

VIU's defense would hold strong throughout the second half while their offense found their form from seasons past. A pair of Lucia Lopez free throws put Capilano within three, but they would never get any closer. A fast break layup from Sammy Shields gave the Mariners just large enough of a lead to cruise to a victory.

Four of VIU's starters eclipsed double digits, including Sammy Shields, who finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and six steals.

Maddy Coffin led all scorers with 14 points, but no one else on the Blues got higher than Barcha Hnizdilova with nine.

Saturday - VIU 62, Capilano 48

Wanna see them do it again?

This game played out eerily similar to Friday as the Mariners raced out an early lead, but the Blues scored six points in three seconds, including a buzzer beater from Barcha Hnizdilova, to cut the lead to three going into the half.

Hnizdilova gave Capilano a 34-33 lead halfway through the third quarter, but a layup from Kiayra Hohlweg twelve seconds later started a VIU run. The Mariners controlled the perimeter all half, earning the weekend sweep in decisive fashion.

Hohlweg had another strong showing, scoring 13 points and grabbing all but one of VIU's offensive rebounds, but VIU's bench was the x-factor. Kaia Simpson led all scorers with 17 points, while Aysia Kumar had her first big game, scoring 10 points on 5-7 shooting.

Barcha Hnizdilova and Maddy Coffin led the way for Capilano with 13 and 10 points respectively, but their meager bench output from Friday managed even less as Mia Parkin led every other Blue with eight.

The Mariners head into their first bye week tied with Douglas for the top spot in the conference before a matchup with Camosun the week after.

Men's Weekend Recap: The Return

Mariners fans have had these games circled on their calendar for a long time. Peter Li, a longtime leader in VIU's guard room, returns to Nanaimo for the first time since transferring to Capilano.

Friday - VIU 85, Capilano 77

No love lost.

An even first quarter gave way to a nine point swing in the second, which the Mariners rode out of the half, taking a 20-point lead near the end of the third quarter.

The Blues wouldn't go gently, unleashing a barrage of threes, but the lead was too large to overcome as the Mariners escaped with their eighth win of the season.

Winston Cole and Ekman Sohal led the way for VIU, combining for 45 points, four assists, and 16 rebounds. Breandan McLaughlin added 11 rebounds of his own along with 11 points for his first double-double of the season.

Sukhraj Garcha was Capilano's leading scorer, finishing with 16 points on 75% shooting. Kash Lang and Zach Klim also reached double digits.

Saturday - VIU 88, Capilano 98

There's the Peter Li that was advertised.

The Blues rode the momentum of an excellent third quarter, outscoring the Mariners 31-24 to take an eight point lead into the final frame, where they survived a late push to earn the victory, just as they had in last year’s PACWEST title game. 

Though VIU shot well, the Blues shot better, converting all of their free throws while pulling down 36 rebounds. 

Kai Leighton’s absence continues to haunt the Mariners as they head into their first bye week, while the Blues have their statement win on the young season. 

Peter Li had a much better showing for Capilano, recording 18 points at a 33% clip. He took a backseat to fellow fifth-year guard Kash Lang, who scored a game-high 31 points while adding two steals, five assists, and three rebounds. 

Zach Hamed and Zach Klim thrived in the post, combining for 26 points and 15 rebounds. 

VIU’s leading scorer was Ekman Sohal with 28 points. The Mariners had four other players reach double digits, but routinely found themselves bullied out of the post. 

The Mariners have next week off before a crucial matchup with the Camosun Chargers the week after.