Men's Preview

Medicine Hat College Rattlers

The Rattlers Sit at 6-2, second place in the competitive ACAC South Division. They are currently ranked #8 in the CCAA. This year's edition of the Rattlers are a very athletic and tough team who lead the ACAC in rebounding margin. They are led by the rebounding duo of Jon Stappleton and Osato Obaski who both average 11 rebounds a game. Aaron Cameron leads the Medicine Hat College Rattlers in scoring netting a cool 23pts a game. The Rattlers are certainly one of the favorites to win the ACAC this year.

Lethbridge College Kodiaks

Currently sitting 4^th in the ACAC South Division with a 4-3 record, the Kodiaks are a quality team who are also in the running to win the ACAC Championship. Lethbridge is set to host this year's ACAC Championship. The Kodiaks are historically tough to beat in their own gym and this year they pose a real threat to win the ACAC and return to the National Championship for the second year in a row. They return several players from last year's ACAC silver medal team and have added some Impact players for the winter term. The Kodiaks have a balanced team attack with five players averaging double-digit scoring, led by Keanu Funa who averages 16pts an outing.  

Augustana Vikings

With a 3-9 record at the break, the Vikings may be the best 3-9 team in the conference. They finished the 1^st term with some injuries that affected the outcomes of some games down the stretch in the first term. Without these injuries, the Vikings could be sitting with a record of 5-7 and in a playoff hunt. Augustana shoots the ball very well, they are led by Austin Brulotte who averages 14pts a game shooting 53% from the 3 point line. Augustana sits in 3^rd spot for 3pt shooting in the ACAC with a 40% 3 pt FG. Their ability to shoot the 3 and their hard work makes the Vikings a very entertaining team to watch and also a threat to win any game they play.

NAIT Ooks

Currently sitting in 2^nd place in the ACAC North with an 8-4 record. The Ooks lost some close games to start the year but started to click as the term finished, playing some good basketball. The Ooks are led by Kennedy George who averages 18pts and 9 rebounds a game. The Ooks have five players in double-digit scoring and also have two players on the brink of that averaging 9.8pts respectively. "We need to play better defensively than we have, while remaining focused for 40 minutes if we are to have success in these games. These are good games to see where we are at in relation to other top teams in the Conference," said Head Coach Mike Connolly.

Women's Preview

Lakeland College Rustlers

The Rustlers start the 2018 stretch of the ACAC season as the leaders of the North Division at 9-3. Coach Chris King has perennially had his teams among the top of the ACAC north and in contention come March year after year and this season is no different. With a balanced attack or solid inside play by 5th year Shania Magnusson and 2nd year Breanna Hurgot and potent perimeter shooting by Kaitlyn Tonita. The North-South Challenge promises some exciting potential post-season preview match-ups for the Rustlers, who undoubtedly will continue to set the pace for the ACAC North division with a very high level of competition.

SAIT Trojans

The ladies of Troy and Coach Parmar have emerged as the front-runners in the ACAC south division. The Trojans boast a league-best flawless 7-0 over the beginning fall term of this years campaign. Anchored by the potent deep threat shooting of the Tan sisters Alesha and Alexa the Trojans 3 point attack has struck fear into the hearts of ACAC opponents for the last number of years. Coach Parma added depth to his roster this year with the addition of key transfers Mel Therra and Amy Gustovsen both proven front-court producers in the ACAC and both dangerous athletes on the glass. With SAIT preparing to host the ACAC Women's Basketball Championship at the end of the season, the North-South challenge will provide SAIT a stage to show they are more than just gracious hosts, but true contenders that everyone else must match come March. 

Olds College Broncos

With new bench boss Avery Harrison and arguably the most effective front-court player in all the ACAC this season in Brittany Thibeaux, who leads the league with a blistering 25 ppg. Despite the short bench of the Broncos they have battled to third place in the ACAC south at a 4-3 record and are poised to make greater strides in the new year. The Broncos look to be playoff bound in the early running and intend to stake their claim to competing for ACAC hardware with their showing at the North-South Challenge. 

NAIT Ooks

The new look NAIT Ooks come into the North-South Challenge in a 3-way tie for the final 3 playoff spots in the ACAC North Division after the first 12 games of the year. In such a competitive and deep division as the ACAC North, any playoff spot outside of first place can be tenuous and even more so on a team of new players and youthful experience. At times the Ooks play has shown promise but like all growth, it is a process. With such talented and deep teams present at the North-South Challenge Coach Warnick is clear about the goals for the weekend "it is our goal to strive to remain competitive in each of our games against very good teams. Given the depth of talent and coaching on the other squads anything else would be unrealistic" says Coach Todd Warnick.