The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted the Nipissing Lakers on Friday, November 21 at the brand new and much anticipated Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Both teams were victorious at the grand opening night of the Goldring Centre. The women’s basketball team won decisively and commandingly with a final score of 73–23. The men’s basketball team displayed resilience and composure, pulling away in the second half and winning 72–59.
From the beginning of the women’s game, the team dominated with its superior athleticism. On the defensive side, the team constantly orchestrated effective full-court presses, forcing 34 turnovers from the Nipissing Lakers.
On the offensive side, they made an effort to run in transition, creating constant disorganization in the opposing team’s defensive formation. The women’s team led from start to finish and never trailed.
One of the reasons for the team’s victory was the performance of fifth-year forward Liane Bailey, who led all players with 17 points. “It was awesome to get everyone on the score sheet and everyone contributing,” says Bailey, attributing the win to the team.
The men’s game proceeded shortly after the end of the women’s game. For the majority of the first half, the Blues found themselves in a tightly contested game. They trailed 29–30 at the end of the first half.
However, in the second half, the men’s team played more efficiently and consistently, turning a one point first half deficit into a 13 point victory.
Third-year forward Devin Johnson’s play stood out for the team. Punctuated by a fade-away corner three-pointer late in the game, Johnson tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Johnson notes three facets from the game that were critical in achieving the win: “Rebounding, for sure; cutting down on our turnovers; and making our offense simple.”
JENNIFER SU/THE VARSITY
Indeed, the Goldring Centre’s grand opening night was accentuated not only by two Blues wins — the fans played an integral and invaluable role in the event’s success as well.
Seated all around the Kimel Family Field House, the fans were electric, energetic, receptive, and raucous. They blissfully cheered when a Varsity Blue scored and vehemently booed when a Laker shot a free throw.
Lucky students and fans had chances of winning free tuition, a Merit Travel $500 travel voucher, and additional prizes.
During timeouts and breaks, the fans were delighted by the lively and vibrant performances of the U of T dance, pom, and cheerleading teams, and fans were treated to the engaging and hilarious antics of the Varsity Blues mascot, True Blue.
Both head coaches commended the incredible atmosphere during the games.
Michèle Bélanger, head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s team, praised the event, saying, “The department and staff did an outstanding job. The Kimel reception was wonderful. Alumni coming back, fans coming in, the athletes supporting the athletes — all of it was just magical.”
John Campbell, head coach of the Varsity Blues men’s team, also applauded the event, saying, “It was a great atmosphere for the players to play in. The crowd was not only large, but they were engaged.”
Beth Ali, director of intercollegiate and high performance sport, envisions the Goldring Centre as “a hub for campus spirit and school pride, a place where the University of Toronto community can come together to meet, train, compete, work out and enjoy all that the facility has to offer.”
With a 2,000-seat international standard field house for basketball and volleyball, a high-performance strength and conditioning centre overlooking Varsity Stadium, and a state-of-the-art sport medicine clinic, the Goldring Centre will surely be a sanctuary for the years to come for students and athletes alike who are all bounded by two mutual interests: their love of sports and physical lifestyle.
