Close enough to feel the sweat ; MEN'S UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL

Tillsonburg News Wed Sep 21  2011 Byline: JEFF TRIBE TILLSONBURG NEWS CIS basketball players look even larger and more athletic in real life.

And within the friendly confines of Glendale's new community gym, the Reliving The Legacy fundraising basketball game between the University of Guelph Gryphons and Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks may just take the definition of competitive up close and personal to a whole new level.

"They're so close, they just might be sweating on you," said Reliving The Legacy Chair Mike Bossy.

Bossy is thrilled to be part of bringing a taste of the best university men's basketball in Canada to what he fully considers the best high school gym in Ontario.

"It is the best gym in the province," he asserted. "I've played in a lot of them and coached in a lot of them. Other than university gyms, this is the best."

The University of Guelph Gryphons will officially be the home team as they tip off against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Glendale student Barry Grass is on tap to sing the national anthem and principal Sarah Khan is set to toss up a ceremonial jump ball.

When the teams hit the floor in earnest, Bossy anticipates an intense version of Canadian men's university hoops between a pair of OUA rivals for whom familiarity has bred both respect and a deep competitive fire. Fans can expect a combination of speed up and down court, athleticism above the rim and a fierce level of intensity through each possession.

"It's in your face defence," said Bossy. "And physicality, if there is such a word, you can't believe the physicality of it.

"And they're doing it without pads."

The game will be fast paced added Brian O'Rourke, a member of the organizing committee, who like Bossy, is excited about the fans' proximity to quality action.

"In that gym, you're right on top of the play. And I can assure you of one thing -it will be physical. University teams go 10 players deep -they have to, it's so physical, they need to be that way."

The game, sponsored in part by Bill's Pizza and E&E McLaughlin, is a fundraiser in support of what Bossy anticipates to be the Reliving The Legacy's stretch drive toward its $1,000,000 target.

"It's a little bit of a different way to raise money, but it's an appropriate way," said O'Rourke.

The thermometer-style sign located along Broadway adjac e nt to Kelsey's indicates $880,000, but requires updating to its new level at the earliest possible convenience says Bossy. "It will say $920,000."

The exhibition came together as the result of work from 'a lot of good people.' First and foremost are those within the two basketball programs, whose coaches both have Tillsonburg connections. Golden Hawks bench boss Peter Campbell was principal at Elliott Fairbairn Public School prior to going into coaching full-time, while Gryphons mentor Chris O'Rourke (son of Brian) played five years at Glendale en route to the University of Guelph, and ultimately, ascension to the men's program head coaching position.

"It will be fun," said Chris O'Rourke from his office at the university. "And it's for a great cause."

The Gryphons will have their hands full predicts O'Rourke, based on the fact Laurier had a strong starting five the previous season.

"And I think they have them all back."

The Golden Hawks' roster has a distinct Tillsonburg flavour O'Rourke ith the presence of Dave Coulthard's son Will, and Pat and Matt Donnelly, sons of Tillsonburg native Sue Donnelly, nee Burton. Tillsonburg natives Brian and Mike Demaree also played at Laurier, as did coach Jim Donaldson when the facility was still known as Waterloo Lutheran University.

Guelph's active roster does have an additional Oxford County connection in Woodstock native Jack Beatty, who O'Rourke describes as a promising freshman with the potential to step up as his career progresses.

"He's going to be a good player at this level."

Guelph lost a number of quality players from last year says O'Rourke. "But we have a lot of good young guys and some key veterans."

The Gryphons will rely on a backcourt led by Danny McCarthy, a first-team OUA all-star who averaged 17 points per game last year, and Kareen Malcolm, a combination guard who is rounding nicely into form after an injury-plagued 2010- 2011 campaign.

"We're going to do it by committee inside, that's where we're the thinnest," said O'Rourke, who looks forward to testing a gameplan featuring pushing the ball up the floor aggressively and applying fullcourt pressure defence in an early season, preseason format.

"We're just going to go in there and play hard," he said. "That's what our teams do."

Change is positive, Rourke, who very much appreciates the quality of Tillsonburg's new community gymnasium as well as the chance to test it out.

"They certainly needed a gym and it's a great facility that's for sure. It's a great opportunity to showcase CIS basketball and there's Tillsonburg connections on both sides."

There are definitely historical connections agreed his father Brian, but the game is very much about looking to the future through a special facility dedication.

"It's a celebration of the opening of the new gym."

Glendale's cheerleaders will be joining in the celebration during a halftime including a 50/50 draw. A lucky ticket will also be drawn for a 'Bomb The Basket' competition, one free throw for the opportunity for a special prize.

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults and $20 for a family and are available at Glendale, from Bossy, Brian O'Rourke or the office of Bossy, Nagy and Geoffrey.

"We expect to fill the gym," said Brian O'Rourke, who apart from helping organize the event, is very much looking forward to enjoying the game.

"It should be early quality basketball at the university level."

Bossy said even those who have never seen a basketball game in their life will enjoy the outing and come away with a greater short-range understanding of the game at its best.

"It's a great opportunity to see a game of this calibre, this close."

 ****** guard Dan McCarthy averaged 17 points per game last year and will be counted on this year for more of the same as a comparatively young Gryphons team hits the hardcourt. He and fellow guard Kareem Malcolm are expected to be keys to Guelph's success as the OUA season unfolds. CONTRIBUTED ?? Mike Bossy is pleased to announce tickets are currently available for the upcoming University of Guelph Gryphons versus Wilfrid Laurier University CIS men's exhibition basketball game tipping off at Glendale's community gym Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the dedication game for the new gym will support a Reliving The Legacy campaign heading into a home stretch Bossy hopes will be concluded by Christmas. JEFF TRIBE/TILLSONBURG NEWS/QMI AGENCY