10/21/2011 - The old sports adage is that there is no letter I in the word TEAM but still it would be nice to recognize the dynamite debuts of Nicolle McKenzie and Zach Alger-Waldher as they sparked the home team Keyano College Huskies to a pair of wins tonight to open the 2011-2012 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference basketball regular season against the Concordia Thunder at the CNRL gymnasium inside the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre.

McKenzie, a 6-foot rookie forward from Notre Dame High School in Ajax Ontario, set the tempo quickly scoring four baskets in the opening minutes with a few drop step and spin moves. She finished the game with 27 points, three blocks and 11 rebounds in leading the women to a 57-52 victory.

Sasha Warmington had 12 points for the Thunder.

"It was a fantastic win for our girls," said head coach Dwayne Vigilance. "We worked the ball inside (to McKenzie) and when they double or triple teamed we hit it back to the outside for an open shot or a three (where Huskies shot 5-for-12)."

Huskies were out rebounded 49 to 40 but had three less turnovers than the Thunders' 28.

Alger-Waldher, who red-shirted last year, showed incredible shooting range by nailing five three pointers for a game high 19 points in the Huskies 82-46 rout over the visiting team in front of 267 fans. He also had four steals.

The game was highlighted by a Alger-Waldher alley pop pass to teammate Louis “Kangaroo Kid” Barham for a thunderous dunk.

Kevin Dia chipped in with 16 points for the Huskies, who had nine blocked shots compared to zip by the Thunder.

Huskies head coach Mike Connolly said the team needs to improve on the defensive boards where they gave up 18.

"Our defence could have been better and we had too many blown assignments...we have to correct a few little things."

Demaine Nelson had 10 boards for the Huskies.

Ethan Sir had a hard fought 13 points to lead the Thunder who shot a dismal 17 for 81 from inside the three-point arc.

The teams return to the hardwood tomorrow at 1 p.m.  for the women and 3 p.m. for the men.