Anthony Batchelor, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) all-time leading scorer, was recently named the OCAA player of the year in men's basketball.
Wrapping up his final season with the Durham College men's basketball team, fourth-year student Anthony Batchelor leaves the court with a place in history.
The 6-foot-2 guard was recently named the 2007-2008 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Player of the Year, the first Durham College athlete to win the award since its introduction in 2003. He has also been named a Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian.
"It feels good to be honoured as OCAA Player of the Year," said Batchelor. "I haven't received awards such as these playing basketball before. It's a blessing to know that hard work pays off."
One of Batchelor's greatest achievements this season was the sinking of his 1,435th career point, breaking Fanshawe College's Emilio Rocca's OCAA record of 1,434, set in 1986. The magical mark came February 8 during a 100-48 victory over La Cite Coyotes. After Batchelor was fouled on a three-point shot, he sank three free throws, the last of which broke the record.
This season Batchelor led the men's basketball team in every statistical category, averaging 20 points per game and grabbing 100 rebounds. Batchelor also led the team in assists for his fourth consecutive year and ranked in the top 15 of six OCAA categories, including total points (third), scoring average (fourth), total field goals (fifth), free throws made (fifth), assists (12th) and steals (15th).
To add to the list of his accomplishments, Batchelor has been an OCAA East Region First Team All-Star every year he's played with the Lords.
With 1,524 career points under his belt, the Markham resident will graduate from the Penology and Youth Graduate Certificate program this semester.
"What will be missed when I graduate is of course, my teammates and putting on a Durham uniform. Also, the teaching staff and my classmates," he said.