GUELPH – It was an afternoon when the tears flowed at the GGAC. Not because of a basketball result but because it was time to say goodbye to five long-serving members of the Guelph Gryphons men's basketball team. Guelph would fall 97-56 to the Western Mustangs in its OUA season finale on Senior Day, though the result itself had little significance.
 
The hard part for coaches, team members, family, and fans was seeing the Gryphons' quintet of fifth-year players – Drew Walford, Jonathan Wallace, Taylor Boers, Daniel Dooley, and Andrew Grant – suit up in their last game. The five seniors started the first quarter and the second half, then came off together for the final time with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter, to a standing ovation from a crowd showing its respect. It was an appropriate way to start and finish considering the togetherness they have shown for five years.
 
"It was obviously hard to focus on basketball today," said head coach Chris O'Rourke. "It was emotional. I thought the game would go one of two ways – that we play inspired or that we might be flat."

 
Guelph hung with the talented Mustangs (second place in the OUA West) for the first half, trailing by just 7 points at 42-35 after two quarters. But Western began the third quarter with an 11-0 run in under two minutes to pull away for good.
 
The Gryphons did not quit, especially the seniors. Boers was out there noticeably limping after having suffered a heel injury recently. Grant was playing for the first time since Dec. 1 when he went down with an injury against Queen's. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Dooley shook off a defender on the left wing, and swished a mid-range jumper for the final basket of a distinguished career. He scored 10 on the day, while Wallace had a team-high 12.
 
There was a memorable pre-game ceremony which began with a picture on the GGAC scoreboard showing the five together as fresh-faced rookies. Each player came and sat at half court in their own director's chair, surrounded by family, to receive their deserved recognition.
 
O'Rourke and his players were caught up in the grind of the season, desperately trying to make the playoffs despite some adversity, like several significant injuries to the senior group and a few heartbreaking losses on buzzer beaters. But the coach is beginning to reminisce about the tenures of the five fifth-year players – and there is no shortage of emotion.

 
"There are certainly moments when you sit back and reflect on the finality of the seniors," O'Rourke said, noting the ongoing support they have shown for one another and their teammates. "I've known them for more than the five years. You see how much they've changed from when they were freshmen, how much they have grown as young men, students, basketball players, and teammates.
 
"These guys came day one and have been here every summer. They've worked hard, changed their bodies. I said to them this year, it's hard to play five years and it's hard to coach guys for five years. It goes both ways. Off the court, in the change room and in practice, they have been outstanding.
 
"I have daughters, I don't have any sons. The best compliment I can give them is that I would be proud of any one of them to be my son."
 

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Coach Chris O'Rourke on his five seniors
 
Daniel Dooley
"I think Daniel has put on 40 pounds of muscle since he came here. He has worked his butt off. He's always been a talented offensive player and unselfish to a fault. For years we've been pushing him to shoot more because he does it so well. He's quiet and unassuming, leading by example. I've known him since he was a youngster and I'm so proud of the man he's become. The relationship we have off the court, the laughs we've had, that's what I'll remember about Daniel. It's a lifetime relationship."
 
Jonathan Wallace
"J-Wall moved up here right when high school was done, which is unheard of. He has worked on his game, his body, and put in countless hours. He's been great that way. His game has evolved, becoming a creator not only for himself but for others. This year, he did a really admirable defensive job, matching up with the best offensive guard on the other team. But what stands out most with me about J-Wall is that he's a brilliant student. He's an Academic All-Canadian, a SAM mentor, he's involved in the community and on campus, he supports his teammates, and he's a future law student. Jonathan is a charismatic, very level-headed, grounded kid. That will carry him far in life."
 
Andrew Grant
"When you meet AG, you're struck with his athleticism. He also has the smile and the charismatic personality, he's just this incredibly outgoing person. He's a very bright kid and has been unbelievably mature and despite being hurt, been supportive of his teammates. Andrew is just salt of the earth, the guy you want having your back. He's going into policing and will be amazing at it."
 
Taylor Boers
"What first struck us about TB is that there's this 5-10 kid with a chip on his shoulder, who could shoot it from anywhere. He was always playing to prove himself. As I got to know him and his dad well, I saw that he was a hard-nosed, tough kid. He was on the OUA All-Rookie Team his first year, shooting a ridiculous rate from three-point range. He worked his butt off, worked on his game and his body. He's been an unbelievable leader on this team and supportive of the young guys. He pushes them and also builds them up. TB has flourished academically. We've always said that we would rather have guys we have to calm down than to give the cattle prod. TB has always been that guy who is intense. He's a high-character guy."
 
Drew Walford
"Drew didn't start playing organized basketball until grade 11. We saw his athleticism. He was an honour student coming out of high school and wanted to be in Human Kinetics. He liked the program here and we loved his raw talent. Drew always had a head for the game, a very cerebral guy. He's battled injuries but his maturity and unselfishness with his teammates has been great. He will go on to do his Masters. He is just a charismatic, well-rounded young man."
 

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