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For the first time in almost 30 years, the Durham Lords Men’s Basketball team are Ontario champions.
Earlier this month, our Durham College (DC) Lords tore through the competition at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships to win their first Men’s Basketball title since 1997.
“Winning this championship is an incredible moment for our program, our players, and our school. To bring home gold is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of this team,” said Head Coach Desmond Rowley.
Their journey to OCAA victory began at home in February, when they defeated the Fanshawe Falcons in a qualifying match and then got past the Mohawk Mountaineers in the quarter-finals. At the OCAA tournament in Etobicoke in March, they topped the St. Clair Saints in the semi-finals by a score of 85-80 before meeting the Humber Hawks in the gold medal game, where they won 67-61.
Mark Stoop was named the championship MVP thanks to his stellar performance in the final game, leading the Lords with 20 points and 10 rebounds while adding three steals, three assists, and a block.
The Lords hosted last year’s OCAA championships, and claimed the bronze after falling short against Humber in the semi-finals. That made this victory even sweeter, according to Scott Dennis, Athletic Director.
“This championship means everything to our program. Our team came into this season with a sense of unfinished business. To bring an OCAA title back to Durham College for the first time since 1997 is a testament to their hard work and belief in each other,” he said. “Desmond has built this program into a championship contender year-after-year. We couldn’t be prouder of this group and what they’ve accomplished.”
The Lords will be back in action soon as they head to Quebec next week to compete in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship.
“We’ve faced adversity, we’ve grown together, and now we’ve earned the right to compete on the national stage in Montreal,” said Rowley. “I couldn’t be prouder of these guys, and we’re not done yet.”
Update – March 17, 2025
The Lords made the most of their trip to the National Championship in Montreal and made Durham College proud by bringing home the silver medal.
After victories over the University of New Brunswick-Saint John Seawolves and Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, they reunited with their provincial rivals, the Humber Hawks, in the gold medal game. In a competitive outing, the Lords fell just short by a score of 76-70.
“We are incredibly proud of this team for not only winning the OCAA Championship but also earning a silver medal on the national stage,” said Scott Dennis, Athletic Director. “To bounce back after a tough loss just one year ago and show this level of resilience speaks volumes about their character and determination. They’ve set a new benchmark for Durham College basketball, and we are excited for the future.”
