GIROLAMETTO LOOKS TO LEAD REDEEMER TO WINNINGEST SEASON EVER

This past week, the men's volleyball team made history by becoming the highest nationally-ranked program ever at Redeemer University College. Now, it's potentially the men's basketball team who may make history. The Royals are one victory away from being the winningest Redeemer men's basketball team ever.

The Royals are on the verge of five regular season wins. The previous high for the program that began in 1990-91 is four wins. The Royals achieved that mark twice, once in 1997-98 and also in 1999-2000. Since that time, Redeemer men's basketball teams and players have come and gone and despite fielding some competitive teams, have only managed to secure 20 wins in the past 12 years. Now, the current team sits at four wins and is only one away from the record. Five wins in a season would be equivalent to 25 percent of the total wins in the last 12 years.

In the off season, Redeemer hired Jamie Girolametto as the new head coach of the Royals. His previous coaching experience and his connections in the Hamilton community has proven invaluable to the program. In just his first season as the head coach, Girolametto is on the verge of driving his team to its winningest season in history.

When asked about the record, Coach Girolametto said, "I had heard rumors about the in totals in the history of the basketball program, but I wasn't completely positive. Truthfully though, I'm not looking at this as a milestone, as we want to set the bar much higher. Our outlook for the remainder of the season remains consistent, we are hoping to make a run at the playoffs. For that to happen, we must beat all the teams below us in the standings and pull out a couple upsets."

The Royals have their work cut out for them but they play two teams in St. Clair and Lambton who they already defeated in the first semester. They also play the Niagara Knights who the Royals fell to on the road in double overtime.

The Royals also play Sault College. Which brings us to this upcoming weekend. The Royals host Algoma University on Friday and Sault College on Saturday. While Friday's game is certainly not out of reach, the Royals will be licking their wounds from a first semester one-point loss to Sault College. Redeemer will get their first crack at the record on Friday night at 8 p.m. vs. Algoma and then again on Saturday at 4 p.m. vs. Sault.

So, what has led to the team's improvement and success? "I can't speak about the past teams at Redeemer," explained Coach Girolametto. "For this team, we have made defence a major focus. You can be good on the defensive end every night as long as your willing to work hard and communicate with teammates. My past coaches, Joe Raso and Pat Papalia, always stressed the importance of competing every night at practice so that you are used to the intensity of a game. We've tried to follow the model of 'competition in practice', where every drill includes a score, therefore producing a winner. The loser then has to face consequence (burpees and sprints!)."

With a 4-8 record heading into the weekend, one or two wins would give the Royals the push to put themselves in a position to challenge for a playoff spot.

As for next year, "It's hard to look ahead right now with such a big weekend in front of us", said Girolametto. "But we are very exited about our future. Next year we potentially return our entire roster. With the addition of some key recruits, this team will make a serious run."

On the women's side, the Lady Royals host Algoma University on Friday and Sault College on Saturday. The women's team defeated Sault College in the first semester and lost by one point to Algoma University.

The Lady Royals will look for a pair of victories to propel them back into the playoff hunt. The team currently sits with a record of 3-7.

During Saturday's games, fans will have a chance to win a pair of 100 level Raptors tickets during halftime of each game.

Source: Redeemer University College