Durham College men's basketball player Anthony Batchelor is hoping to represent the school at the OCAA All-Star Basketball Game on March 29, 2008. The event, featuring skills competitions and men's and women's games will be hosted by Durham College for the second straight year.
The province's best men's and women's basketball players will gather at Durham College on Saturday, March 29, 2008 in a battle of East and West divisions at the 2008 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) All-Star Basketball Games.
Durham College was announced as the site for this year's games and will host the event for the second consecutive year. Participants will showcase their skills in the school's brand new triple gymnasium.
The celebration of the most talented college basketball players in Ontario includes the men's and women's all-star games as well as numerous skills competitions including the Spalding OCAA 3-Point Shootout, the OCAA 2-Ball Championship and the always entertaining Annual OCAA Best Mascot Contest.
All-Star Saturday kicks off at 3:30 p.m. with the 2-Ball competition followed by the men's and women's 3-point Shootout preliminary rounds. The ladies will then take to the court at 6 p.m. for their East versus West all-star clash with the top six women's 3-point shooters participating in the final at halftime.
Between the men's and women's games, the popular OCAA Best Mascot contest will take place with the audience playing the role of judge, choosing their favourite based on their performances. The Durham Lord will look to avenge his loss last year to Rif the Saint from St. Clair College in Windsor.
The best OCAA men's basketball players will hit the hard court at 8:15 p.m. for their showdown, with the men's three-point shootout final taking place during halftime. Awards for East and West player of the game will be awarded following each game.
Last year's women's game saw the East take down the West by a score of 79-64, with Durham College's own Samantha McConnell making an impact in the game, scoring 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. On the men's side, the East made it a clean sweep, winning their match, 82-78. Durham's Anthony Batchelor was a starter on the East squad and contributed with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.
Mohawk College's team of Igor Trbojevic and Melissa Zwolak took home the Two-Ball Championship while Andrew Hall of St. Clair College and Jeralyn Espirtitu of Sheridan College won the men's and women's Three-Point Shootouts respectively.
With the host site and schedule determined, the only thing left is to choose this season's worthy participants. OCAA all-star selections will be announced prior to the game in early March.