Women's Basketball | 2/18/2019 2:11:00 PM
Saturday's basketball games at Love Competition Hall could prove pivotal in determining RSEQ playoff positioning. The McGill Martlets and Redmen are both going to the playoffs, the only question is who and where they will be playing once the regular season ends.
The games versus top-ranked Laval will also have significance beyond the court.
The Martlets and Redmen will be hosting a Black History Month afternoon. There will be various art vendors, food, and speakers.
"It was an idea I've had for a while now, but never really took the time to move it forward," said Martlets head coach Ryan Thorne, who has guided the program for 16 years.
"Much like many other focus games, our BHM game is an opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of the black community in Montreal, through sport. We really are just getting it off the ground this year, with our scholarship fund, but hope to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to the Montreal Black Community next year."
Those scholarships will be for community members who are athletes. Montreal United, a community organization, will be at Saturday's game. Thorne believes in showcasing culture in various arenas.
"It is important to promote different cultures in everything, not just sports," he said. "However, team sports provides a common goal (success) and structure (team work) that make it important to focus less on what makes us different and more on how we are alike."
From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Tomlinson Hall, the Martlets and McGill African Students Society will host an artisanal fair to showcase black artists and entrepreneurs.
Thorne, who coached the Martlets to a U Sports National Championship in 2017, is guiding a young squad this season. McGill is currently in third place in the RSEQ and will face second-place Concordia in the playoffs.
"Challenging," Thorne said when asked to describe the season so far. "Success has been something that I believe we've become accustomed to and maybe even have taken for granted."
Regardless of the outcome, Thorne is optimistic that fans will have a great afternoon on Saturday.
"I hope people experience great basketball," he said. "It is also my hope that everyone learn and/or try something new that is associated with the culture."
