(St. John's, NL) As the AUS season heads into the holiday break, the Memorial Sea-Hawks men's basketball team has firmly established itself as a contender in the conference. With a 7-3 record, the Sea-Hawks sit in second place, trailing only St. Francis Xavier (8-1). Over the past six games, Memorial has showcased resilience, thrilling fans with narrow escapes, commanding victories, and hard-fought battles. Led by standout performers Flynn Boardman-Raffet and Norm Burry, the Sea-Hawks continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the AUS.
The Acadia Series: Thrilling Victories Set the Tone
Memorial's two-game clash with Acadia in late November set the tone for their current standing. The first game was a nail-biter, with the Sea-Hawks securing a hard-fought 91-88 win. Flynn Boardman-Raffet led the charge with 24 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his ability to dominate in clutch moments. Memorial built a solid lead early, but Acadia stormed back in the fourth quarter, threatening to steal the game. Flynn's composure at the free-throw line ultimately sealed the win.
In the second game, the Sea-Hawks delivered another thrilling victory, edging Acadia 86-84. Flynn was once again instrumental, matching his Game 1 performance with 27 points and 9 rebounds. However, it was Norm Burry's heroics that stole the spotlight as he erupted for 27 points, including crucial free throws in the dying seconds. The team's ability to rally in the third quarter after trailing at halftime underscored their resilience and set the stage for a successful series sweep.
Dominance Over Dalhousie
The Sea-Hawks continued their winning streak with a commanding two-game sweep over Dalhousie. In the first matchup, Memorial cruised to a 72-54 victory, pulling away with a 27-12 fourth-quarter surge. Flynn was unstoppable, posting 29 points and 6 rebounds, while Norm and Cameron Stanford combined for a dominant effort on the boards. The Sea-Hawks' defense stifled Dalhousie, holding them to just 32.2% shooting from the field.
The second game proved to be more competitive, with Dalhousie jumping to an early 21-11 lead. Memorial responded with a gritty second-half performance, anchored by Flynn's 22-point, 14-rebound double-double and Norm's sharpshooting, which included four three-pointers. The Sea-Hawks' defense shone once again, limiting Dalhousie to just eight points in the third quarter en route to a 68-57 win. The sweep solidified Memorial's defensive identity and highlighted their ability to dominate on both ends of the floor.
A Split with Cape Breton
The Sea-Hawks closed out their pre-holiday schedule with a two-game series against Cape Breton. In Game 1, Memorial delivered a convincing 84-71 victory, powered by Flynn's monster performance of 30 points and 16 rebounds. Norm added 15 points and 9 rebounds, while the team shot an impressive 42.9% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. The win marked Memorial's sixth consecutive victory, showcasing their offensive precision and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Game 2, however, told a different story. Cape Breton bounced back in emphatic fashion, handing the Sea-Hawks a 106-80 defeat. Shakael Pryce broke Memorial's defense with a 30-point performance, including six three-pointers, as Cape Breton's balanced attack proved too much to handle. Despite strong efforts from Norm (20 points) and Wyatt Vanhooren (12 points off the bench), Memorial struggled to match Cape Breton's efficiency, shooting just 41.9% from the field compared to their opponent's 51.4%.
Standout Performances: Sea-Hawks Stars Shine Bright
Much of Memorial's success this season can be attributed to the exceptional play of Flynn Boardman-Raffet and Norm Burry. Flynn leads the AUS in scoring, averaging an impressive 23.8 points per game, while shooting 53.9% from the field. His ability to attack inside, connect from beyond the arc (37.2%), and draw fouls makes him the most versatile offensive weapon in the conference. Flynn's consistency extends to rebounding, where he averages 6.8 boards per game, further solidifying his role as a team leader.
Norm Burry complements Flynn's dominance with his own reliable play, averaging 17.0 points per game on 37.7% shooting from three-point range. Known for his clutch performances, Norm has delivered in high-pressure situations, including a 27-point explosion in Game 2 against Acadia and a strong showing in the Cape Breton series. His contributions extend beyond scoring, as he also averages 5.0 rebounds per game, adding depth to Memorial's overall effort.
The Sea-Hawks' success is not limited to their stars. Players like Cameron Stanford and James Reimer have stepped up in crucial moments, while bench contributors such as Wyatt Vanhooren provide scoring bursts when needed. Defensively, the team has been a cohesive unit, holding opponents to an average of just 55.5 points per game during the Dalhousie series.
Looking Ahead
With a 7-3 record, the Sea-Hawks enter the holiday break well-positioned to make a push for the top spot in the AUS standings. While their performances have been largely impressive, the loss to Cape Breton highlighted areas for improvement, particularly on the defensive end. As they prepare for the second half of the season, Memorial will need to bring the same intensity and resilience that has defined their best moments.
The road ahead promises fierce competition, but the Sea-Hawks are ready to rise to the challenge. With their depth, defensive prowess, and star power, they have all the tools to make a deep postseason run. Also our fans at The Works Fieldhouse can look forward to more thrilling performances as the team continues its quest for AUS supremacy.
Story and Photos - Udantha Chandraratne @ucephoto