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Samson Downey finished his first season as head coach with a CCAA medal after Humber\u2019s men\u2019s basketball team won bronze at the national tournament.<\/p>\n
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After losing in the quarterfinal game the Hawks finished the 2018-19 season with a come from behind win, beating Coll\u00e8ge\u00a0Montmorency 84-76 in the bronze medal game.<\/p>\n
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Downey set a record by becoming the first head coach in program history to win a CCAA title in their first season in charge.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt was a very successful season, to win a silver medal at the OCCA tournament and finish third in the country is always great we just have to try and build on that for next year,\u201d said Downey.<\/p>\n
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The Hawks were down by 12 points with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter of the bronze medal game. Downey said the team\u2019s depth and veterans were two key factors that helped them comeback.<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u201cNobody was as deep as us, we knew going into the third and fourth quarter it was going to be a war of attrition and we were going to be able to wear down teams and battle back,\u201d said Downey. \u00a0 \u201cOur veteran leadership helped us to not panic when we were down. The guys trusted the game plan and sure enough we were able to comeback and hold on for the win.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n
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According to Downey, the team faced several obstacles this season they had to overcome. He said one of the toughest moments was motivating the team after the loss in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
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\u201cNaturally after working that hard and losing the team was devastated, \u201csaid Downey. \u201cI let the guys\u2019 emotions set in and deal with it, but after our team meeting we knew it was back to business and we still had a medal to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
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For next season Downey says the team can look to Humber hosting the national tournament as an added source of motivation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTo be able to play and potentially win in front of your friends and family is really special. The atmosphere is going to be indescribable and it\u2019s going to be a lot of fun\u201d<\/p>\n
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