Sports

With seven championships in the last nine years, Dave Smart and the Carleton Ravens have cemented their status as one of the greatest basketball programs in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) history.

But is it time for a tougher challenge?

As Tyson Hinz held the W.P. McGee trophy above his head in celebration, another tournament was preparing to tip-off, south of the border. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness, the premier basketball tournament in  collegiate athletics, became the focus of the sporting world.

With the Carleton Ravens women’s basketball team headed to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Final 8 championships for the first time in the team’s history March 18—20, it’s clear the women’s basketball program has taken major strides in the last few seasons.

Third-year guard Alyson Bush has been key to that success.

Bush, a 5’6” Ottawa native, entered the Ravens program three years ago in the same season Taffe Charles was named head coach.

After earning the tournament’s wildcard berth March 12, Carleton’s women’s basketball team is on its way to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships this weekend.

While Mike Kenny finishes his career with three national championships, Carleton’s award-winning young stars have just collected their first.

The teenage tandem of Tyson Hinz and Philip Scrubb played a big role in Carleton’s run through the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s Final 8 this weekend — a fact that wasn’t lost on head coach Dave Smart.

With the Carleton Ravens championship win March 13, many are predicting the beginning of another Carleton run of dominance, especially considering the core of the young team remains largely intact.

However, perhaps lost in all the post-championship celebration is the fact that these Ravens will suit up next season without one of their three captains, graduating fifth-year senior Mike Kenny.