Boyer-Richard and the Badgers Wilson Cup champions

BASKETBALL. In his first campaign with the Brock University Badgers, Drummondville resident William Boyer-Richard helped his team win the Wilson Cup.

In the final of the Ontario Men’s University Basketball Tour (OUA), the Badgers defeated the Queen’s University Gaels by a score of 95-75. In front of their fans in St. Catharines, the club captured their first playoff championship in 30 years.

“We had home advantage. We were able to benefit from the support of our fans. We were focused on our goal. We were ready for this game. We followed our coach’s game plan, as we have done throughout the season, and things went well for us,” explained William Boyer-Richard.

After an almost perfect regular season (14-1 record), the Badgers reached the final of the Ontario circuit by signing two decisive victories in the playoffs. Head coach Willy Manigat’s squad won 82-58 in the quarter-finals, then 88-75 in the semi-finals.

“We were a complete and very mature team. We had a lot of experience in all positions. We played well collectively. The team chemistry was excellent. These are all elements that have allowed us to be successful, ”said William Boyer-Richard, who had three difficult seasons on the collective level with the Broncos of Western Michigan University, in the first division of the NCAA. .

“It’s so different to play in a winning environment. I chose to join Brock University to win and we made it.”

At the U Sports national championship played in Edmonton in early April, however, the Badgers were upset by a 77-73 score against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the quarterfinals. It was the Carleton University Ravens who finally captured the national title.

“When we arrived at the nationals, we were ranked first in the country. We were up against the team in eighth place, but we didn’t perform well. We started playing too late in this match,” said William Boyer-Richard.

“Our opponents struck very early. We lost by 18 points after the first half. We woke up in the second half. We played more aggressively, as we usually do. We came back from behind and even took the lead, but our opponents came back strong at the end of the match.

On an individual level, the young playmaker said he was more or less satisfied with his performance in 2021-2022.

“It’s never easy to adapt to a new environment, but I find that I’ve been really inconsistent this season. I try not to put too much pressure on my shoulders and give myself a chance. It’s normal to experience ups and downs when you join a new team,” he said.

Next fall, William Boyer-Richard will be back with the Badgers to play his fifth and final season in the university ranks. The young student-athlete will complete his master’s degree in data analysis.

“I’m really encouraged thinking about the next season. Some players won’t be back with the team, so I’ll be able to take more space. I already know our team concepts and our playbook. It will be easier to attack the season with confidence. We will still have a good team,” concluded the former Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf Dynamics, who is currently enjoying a few days of vacation in Florida.