Cochrane-born and Cochrane High Cobras basketball alumnus Jake Nielson was part of the University of Calgary Dinos basketball team that won their first USports National Championship in men’s basketball on March 11 in Wolfville, NS.
The Dinos defeated the Ryerson Rams in the tournament final, which turned out to be a thrilling game that came down to the dying seconds. Tied at 77 with nine seconds left on the clock, Dinos’ guard Mambi Diawara drove left to the basket and laid it in for the game-winning shot to secure a 79-77 victory for the Dinos.
The Dinos qualified for the championship tournament after winning the Canada West Championship with 84-77 over the Alberta Golden Bears. The team then went to Nova Scotia and upended the Brock Badgers in a closely contested 78-76 win in the quarterfinals and the McGill Redmen 65-43 in the semifinals to earn their spot in the National Championship against Ryerson.
Nielson, who grew up in Cochrane, played his way through the town basketball ranks with the Cochrane Red Jackets, Team Alberta and the Cochrane High Cobras. He starred for the Cobras from the start of his Grade 10 year in 2014 up until graduation in 2016, averaging 33 points-per-game throughout the duration of his senior year at Cochrane High.
“I wouldn’t be here today without my time in Cochrane. My dad coached me throughout most of my time at Cochrane High along with Jim Forrest,” Nielson said.
“It was really special because he taught me pretty much everything with our own teams or even just watching or talking basketball at home. Those two coaches really instilled confidence in me.”
The local product, who just finished his first season with the Dinos, said being part of the university team for its first National Championship in the school’s 51-year history was an amazing experience.
“It was really cool. We had a really special group who put a ton of work in,” Nielson said.
“We kind of weren’t given enough credit or respect throughout the year but we still went out and there and accomplished our goal.”
“My phone blew up after the game with people congratulating me. I heard from some people who I haven’t talked to in a few years, so that was pretty cool. Nobody really sticks out other than my parents. I just appreciate all the support.”
With Nielson being in his first year, the 6’3 guard didn’t play much over the course of the season or playoffs. He played in 17 games, averaging six minutes per game, with his highest coming against University of British Columbia Okanagan, where Nielson played 21 minutes, earning six points and adding one assist.
Nielson said he would use the experiences he had from this season into future of his basketball career.
“There are a lot of experiences I can take away from this year. We have a terrific group of veterans and coaches that showed what kind of preparation and hard work needed to go all the way,” Nielson said.
“Those are habits that I’m going to carry all the way throughout my time here with the Dinos. (Moving forward) I want to be a key contributor and most importantly, help this team keep on winning.”
