Burnaby basketball players are singing a happy tune with the Capilano University Blues.
The sixth-place men’s basketball team just squeaked into PacWest playoffs with the last available berth, but the Blues were the first in line when it came to handing out awards.
Burnaby South grad Martin Bogajev was named to the PacWest all-rookie team, while also garnering the men’s rookie of the year honour.
Second-year forward Andrew Morris, a former St. Thomas More Collegiate student, also found a starting spot on the PacWest first all-star team.
Morris finished third overall in PacWest scoring this season, averaging 18.6 points per game and second in rebounding with 8.27 boards per outing.
Bogajev, who played the small forward position last season in high school, blossomed at point guard at Cap, taking over the starting position after just five games in collegiate ball.
“I like playing, it’s fun for me,” said Bogajev. “I have more freedom than I had in high school and it showed in my play.”
Bogajev put up consistent double-digit numbers for most of the season, placing seventh in scoring with 15 points per game in his first year of post secondary basketball. He was also eighth in assists with 61 helpers in 21 league games.
“I was too small for the wing position, but I began playing back-up (guard). … I don’t want to give it back to anyone, but I want the competition,” Bogajev said.
Capilano will get all the competition it wants at PacWest playoffs.
The Blues take on third-place Quest University in the opening round on Thursday (after NOWdeadlines), a team Cap has taken to overtime in both of its previous two league meetings.
“We feel we deserve one (win) at least. Why not the one that counts,” he added. “We’re feeling pretty confident.”
Another Burnaby freshman, Reece Morris, last year’s tournament MVP with B.C. high school AAA champion STM Knights, was eighth in PacWest rebounding for Cap this season with 137 boards in 21 league games.
