It was the first time that event took place in Laval.

Three matches per day were scheduled between the teams of Stephen F. Austin, Quinnipiac, Montana State, UNCG, MTSU, and Hofstra.

“We know Montreal and Laval are basketball fans,” said Emilio Zaga Mendez, brand manager at Evenko. “We hope it becomes a recurring event every year.”

MTSU Stands Out

All six teams played three matches during the weekend.

MTSU was the only perfect team, winning its three matches. It first defeated Hofstra by a score of 64-54, then registered a convincing 75-63 victory over Stephen F. Austin the next day. The team concluded its weekend by winning a close 72-71 battle against Montana State.

Quinnipac and Hofstra finished the weekend with two wins and one loss. Hofstra also signed a 72-70 win in the game between the two teams, despite a late comeback from Quinnipac. It was also the last game of the event.

The other three universities competing, UNCG (1-2), Stephen F. Austin (1-2) and Montana State (0-3), all when back home with negative records.

Those were sanctioned games by the NCAA. They will thus influence the qualification of each of those teams for the post-season tournament.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Place Bell Brings Many Smiles with NCAA Basketball Showdown est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The event will bring together six American college teams, facing face off in a nine-game series from Nov. 25–27.

Three matches per day are scheduled between the teams of Stephen F. Austin, Quinnipiac, Montana State, UNCG, MTSU, and Hofstra.

“We invited all the NCAA teams for the event, and those are the ones that answered the call,” explained Emilio Zaga Mendez, brand manager at Evenko. “They’re sanctioned games, so they’ll directly influence the qualification of those teams for the post-season tournament.”

Indeed, it’s not only about preparatory games, like the one disputed between Duke and McGill University in this same building in 2018. The teams will thus have their best lineup on the field.

Laval’s Pick

Zaga Mendez believes Place Bell was the ideal location for the event due to the availability of the place, and the pool of basketball fans.

“We know Montreal and Laval are basketball fans,” he said. “Every year, the [Toronto] Raptors preseason games are working very well at the Bell Centre. We hope it will be a recurring event every year.”

Zaga Mendez sees the event as a “basketball clinic” for young fans of the sport, dreaming of making a career out of it.

Nancy Harold, executive director of the Association régionale de Basketball Laval, sees it the same way.

“It’s clear that it can interest our young people,” Harold assured. “What they need is to believe it’s possible. I think many parents can say basketball is a sport that can lead a young person to academic success, have discipline, team spirit and perseverance.”

Succession

Harold also believes the increase in interest in this sport could lead to the possible presence of a Laval player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

“There’s talent here, and we believe the next Quebec NBA player is at Basketball Laval,” she said. “It’s such a rewarding sport for our young people, and it’s unfortunate that it’s not highlighted. We need more high-level basketball in Quebec.”

In total, the Association régionale de Basketball Laval plans to have around 50 young athletes from its program on site to attend the event.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article NCAA Basketball Stops at Place Bell est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The organization is calling for the generosity and solidarity of the Laval business community, as well as the the population during this holiday season, which promises to be difficult for many.

Having experienced a record increase in requests for food aid over the past year, the CBML has no choice, but to increase its number of Christmas baskets. Thus, the organization will distribute 200 more baskets than in previous years, bringing the number to 2,500.

“Since the beginning of October, in addition to the daily requests for food aid, people have been contacting us to make sure they’re having their Christmas basket,” said by press release José Haeck, head of the emergency food aid counter at Moisson Laval. “The requests are exploding, and the phone keeps ringing.”

“The general increase in the cost of living has caused an unprecedented increase in our requests for food aid,” added in the same press release Jean Gagnon, general manager of the CBML. “Facing this societal issue, we have decided to help as many Laval residents as possible, and distribute 200 additional Christmas baskets.”

This year, in addition to the 2,500 Christmas baskets to fill with food, the organization has set itself the goal of raising $350,000 in monetary donations. That expected amount of money will help the organization in its operations surrounding their annual campaign.

Until the end of December, the population, businesses and all public institutions in Laval are invited to take part in this major food drive, which will be used to feed 2,500 families. The distribution of Christmas baskets will take place from Dec. 18–20, at the CBML, assisted by 250 volunteers. (A.B.)

L’article The CBML Launches its Christmas Basket Campaign est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.