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Sports

Three 'Pack players see final game

Joseph Otoo - Omega Contributor

Janet Bleth didn't think her son would cry at any point during his final home game for the TRU WolfPack. Three senior business majors, Drew Bleth, Sean Garvey and Jeff Friesen were joined by family and friends in a brief and classy ceremony prior to tip-off on Saturday night.

WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie was happy with the effort and leadership of his graduates. "As far as ceremonies go, that was one of the smoothest, those kids played well out there." Unfortunately the bullies from Burnaby, the #7 ranked SFU clansmen ruined senior night by winning both games vs. TRU.

Garvey scored a game-high 23 points and admitted after that he was going to miss the battle and competition.

"I like the feeling of being sore on Monday morning after a couple of hard fought games," he said. Drew Bleth scored 11 points and added three assists in his final night wearing the orange and black jersey.

Friesen, the 6'7 senior, played a game high 37 minutes, scored 13 points along with eight rebounds in another versatile performance. He agreed with Garvey that he would miss the competition that is university basketball.

"Yeah, men’s league is fun but its not quite as competitive as these games, it was just awesome to play at this level again,” he said.

Both Friesen and Garvey have fond memories of the 2005 UCC Sun Demons team that captured the CCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

“That was an amazing time, I'll never forget that group of guys,” Friesen said. “It was so special to share the championship with my friends."

“[The championship was] easily my favourite memory,” Garvey said. “That was an amazing time with the guys. I remember the NAIT [North Alberta Institute of Technology] fan pulling the fire alarm during practice so we were forced to just hang out and we had a great time just clowning and dancing.”

“The best moment had to be during the national anthem one game right after the lyric home and native land, this guy stands up and yells, ‘Garvey Sucks!’ I guess they were worried about me." Garvey added, as a younger player he used to get caught up with the crowd.

"Yeah I was pretty cocky before, I used to talk smack to the crowd but I learned."

Both Friesen and Garvey spent a couple seasons away from the WolfPack, the off-court friendship was part of the reason they both decided to return for a second stint. “Garv is my most memorable teammate,” Friesen said. “I came back to play because of him. We talked a lot during that time; I was lucky to get a second chance to be a student-athlete.”

Gillespie has the difficult task of replacing three high-impact players. Bleth, Freisen and Garvey will leave important vacancies for the WolfPack to mend before the start of the next campaign.

"Off the court Garv, Freisen and Bleth have all been talking with the kids and helping with their development this season,” Gillespie said. “You’ve got to like seeing that."

Garvey’s spot will likely be filled by first year Hudson Naylor and his distinctive long locks. “I tell [Hudson] all the time he'll be a better player the day he cuts his hair,” Garvey said.

“Definitely side with Garvey,” Friesen said. “Nailers needs to cut that hair.”

No tears for the soon-to-graduate trio on senior night. After getting muzzled twice by SFU, the ‘Pack finished the Canada West campaign with a 3-14 record. Now that the season is over, Friesen or Garvey have plenty of time to start a Facebook page dedicated to Hudson Naylor’s future haircut.