BB: UBC forward, WPG guard shine from all angles in first week back
Wallack, Guinto named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY – British Columbia's Brian Wallack and Winnipeg's Raizel Guinto were named the Canada West Basketball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday after the first weekend back from the holiday break.
Wallack helped his then 4-4 UBC squad to a weekend split with one of the conference's top teams with a thunderous performance in Brandon. The fourth-year forward put up 48 points in the two games.
After a 17-point performance in the team's loss Friday, Wallack reared back with a vengeance Saturday. He played like a man on fire, tucking home a lay-up just six seconds after the tip. He proceeded to post eight of UBC's first 11 points with another lay-up through contact, free throw and dunk before getting back to the line.
Wallack lead his team to an early lead, which they would not give up for the rest of the contest. He also posted eight rebounds (four on each end), three assists, a steal and a block. His all-around contribution was also efficient — Wallack went 13 for 15 from the floor to get the Thunderbirds back to .500 on the season and prove their threat level to the teams at the top.
Wallack and the Thunderbirds be back in action Jan. 13 & 14, when they visit Thompson Rivers for games at 7:30 p.m. PT both days. You can catch the games exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 6: 17 pts, 6 rebs, 1 blk, 1 stl in 92-79 L at BDN
Jan. 7: 31 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 1 blk, 1 stl in 92-79 W at BDN
Meanwhile, Guinto had the same heat coming into Saturday's match-up against the Calgary Dinos, a team neck-and-neck with the Wesmen in the CW standings. After putting up 15 points and 5 rebounds in her team's Friday evening loss, Guinto went back to work in the rematch, giving her team an early lead with a lay-up and good three-pointer.
Her effort on every inch of the floor paid off, as she helped her Wesmen battle back to regain the lead in the second with a key steal leading to a lay-up. She added several jumpers, a three-pointer, and an assist later in the quarter to help Winnipeg go ahead at half despite trailing the majority of the game.
Guinto then gobbled up a couple key rebounds late in the fourth with Calgary pushing on a two-possession game. Her complete game shined from all angles, earning her this week's honour.
With the win, Winnipeg remains ahead of Calgary as the fourth ranked team in the conference.
Guinto and the Wesmen will return to the hardcourt Jan. 13 & 14, when they host Regina at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. CST respectively. You can catch the games exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 6: 15 pts, 5 rebs, 2 stls in 76-63 L at CGY
Jan. 7: 25 pts, 8 rebs, 5 asts, 4 stls in 88-84 W at CGY