Inside the Men’s Basketball Push for Ontario Collegiate Recreation (OCR) Tournament Glory
Inside the Laurier Brantford YMCA double gym, the squeak of sneakers and the rhythm of bouncing basketballs signal the start of a new athletic campaign. Following mid-September tryouts, Laurier Brantford’s extramural sports programs-spanning Mixed Volleyball, Men’s Hockey, Women’s Hockey and Men’s Basketball-have shifted from roster selection to active tournament preparation. With the Ontario Collegiate Recreation tournament circuit approaching in November, teams across campus are using weekly practice blocks to refine tactical schemes, establish roster roles and build early-season chemistry.
Leading the campus charge on the court is the Men’s Basketball team, a group blending established core veterans with fresh talent. Integrating new athletes into an existing lineup can often present early friction, but early sessions at the YMCA have proven seamless. Off the court, the squad has already cultivated a tight-knit, family dynamic that translates into natural chemistry on the hardwood.
“The team has been coming together really well with our first couple of practices this year,” said men’s basketball player Jalen Mundy, “and the new guys who came out to tryouts look like they can each add a different dynamic to our team.”
That chemistry is central to the tactical approach drawn up by coaches Andre Dinglasan and Ramir Headley. Rather than relying on slow, half-court offensive sets, the Golden Hawks are coming up with an aggressive fast-break strategy, to catch opposing defences unprepared before they can set up their court coverage.
“This year we as a team are focusing more on getting the ball out faster in transition because we have a lot of athletes who can get down the court fast,” Mundy said.
Executing a relentless transition game, however, requires stringing together defensive stops. Identifying defensive consistency as their primary area for growth following last season’s tournament runs, the coaching staff has made perimeter pressure, rebound control and help-side communication central pillars of every practice drill.
“Our coach Andre told us that we are going to focus a lot on defence this year,” said Mundy, “Because once we play really good core defence, our offence will flow from that.”
For Mundy individually, stepping into a primary leadership role involves sharpening his decision-making while maintaining an aggressive scoring mindset. He aims to manage game flow and limit unforced errors, knowing that drawing defensive attention creates open looks for surrounding shooters.
“I personally want to be more aggressive on offence this year,” Mundy said, “because I know what kind of player I am when I am looking to score, and it opens up my teammates more.”
Competing on the OCR circuit presents a distinct opportunity for Laurier Brantford student-athletes. Operating out of a smaller campus compared to larger Ontario institutions, the Golden Hawks carry a strong sense of pride whenever they take the court against college competition across the province.
“It means a lot to the whole team to represent Laurier Brantford in sports,” Mundy said. “Typically, we are a smaller campus, and it feels like every time we go to a tournament, we have the support from the whole school, which inspires us to do our best.”
With practice intensity ramping up and tactical assignments taking shape, the squad’s objective for the fall season is clear: bringing home an OCR tournament banner. Reaching that mark will require strict practice discipline and conditioning as the roster adapts to high-pressure tournament play.
“This year I think our biggest goal is to try and win a tournament,” said Mundy. “We talked about it a lot during practice, and I definitely think we have the talent to do it as long as we continue to get better every day.”
While the fall schedule takes the team on the road across Ontario, the program is already circling a key date on the winter calendar. The Golden Hawks will showcase their development on home court when they host the OCR tournament circuit at the Laurier Brantford YMCA on Feb. 12, where they hope local student support will give them an extra edge.
“Thank you all for your continuous support in athletics and basketball,” Mundy said. “Please continue to wish us luck as we compete, and if you can come out to our host tournament on Feb. 12 to cheer us on, your support would be greatly appreciated.”
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