Home for the playoffs

 After a strong regular season the St. Clair Saints Men’s Basketball team will host their first playoff game in six years at the Sportsplex at St. Clair’s main campus.

 The Saints are third in the west division of the Ontario College Athletic Association and are in sixth place overall after finishing the regular season at 14-6. This is the best record the Saints have finished in more than a decade. 

 St. Clair will host the La Cité Coyotes from the East division who finished the season at 11-9. Over the regular season the Saints had a 9-2 home record, which they hope will carry over for post season success.

The Saints top scorer and ninth in the OCAA for points per game with 19.6, David Gomez Jr. has been injured the previous four games with an elbow injury. As he plans his return for the Saints home playoff game, he said he is excited to lead his team on the court. 

 “My leadership and energy makes a difference on this team,” said Gomez. “Everything happens for a reason and my teammates stepped up and gained confidence. Now that I’m back we can put it all together to try and win a championship.” Being the team’s leading scorer, Gomez brings a lot back to this Saints squad. “It’s that mamba mentality… At times I feel like I have to take over and having my teammates allowing me to do that and it makes it easier for me,” said Gomez. Because of their sense of brotherhood Gomez believes this team can win a championship. “We are all brothers… and it’s so much bigger than basketball.” 

  Matt Sykes and Brendon Seguin, the head coaches for the Saints men’s basketball team are excited to host the Sportsplex first ever playoff game.

 “It’s real tough trying to beat someone in their place so it’s awesome to be here,” said Seguin. “We know we have the home crowd behind us.” 

  According to Sykes, this year’s team is special.  

 “It’s their togetherness,” said Sykes. “ It’s so much different than anything we’ve seen before… they’re always there for each other, it’s a brotherhood here.”

  The Saints host their first playoff game at the Sportsplex on Feb. 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 7.p.m. The Saints would need to win four straight games to capture the Championship.