Sennet Beaulieu
Published Jan 13, 2024
After earning the number six spot in the East, the Argonauts faced the New Jersey Hoops in the first round of the playoffs. The first couple of games were not promising for the ‘Nauts and there were some rumblings of a sweep. Yet heading back home reinvigorated the team and they won the next three games. Jim Kerr, the Hoops’ sixth man who had averaged 33 points in the first two games, was also missing in action in those Argonauts’ wins.
Game 6 arrived and both teams seemed to struggle, both having a lower scoring final. Kerr returned to the lineup for New Jersey, but it was obvious that he was not 100%. He only played 11 minutes and scored zero points. The story for Montréal was not any better. Lee Thomas fouled out, ending the night with only 12 minutes played and 4 points. Willie Favors was 4-12 in field goals and 1-7 in three pointers. Earl Thompson had a slightly better shooting night, 7-16 in field goals and 3-5 from three. The Hightower brothers, Rodney and Jake, did aid defensively with 7 and 6 rebounds respectively. Yet, it was the rookie, TyReal Deal who stepped up having 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 10 points. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Hoops edged out the win, 103-95.
Game 7, a highlight in any playoff series! Having not closed the deal back home, the Argonauts traveled to the Hoops Center. Thomas and Favors were determined to play better and they did compared to their performances in Game 6. Favors had 19 points on 8-15 shooting. Thomas had 25 points and 7 assists. Of course they were not the only ones who needed to redeem themselves. Jim Kerr, now back to his full strength, showed everyone why he was crowned as Sixth Man of the Year. In just 35 minutes, he scored 45 points with 12 rebounds. He was unstoppable and ended the playoff hopes for Montréal himself.
Immediately after the team arrived back in Montréal, I tried to catch up with GM Brittani Avery to discuss her plans now that the Argonauts have suffered another first-round exit. Her team informed me that the organization would not available to answer any media questions at the moment. From my dealings with Avery and her organization over the years, I knew that changes were imminent.
Only a few days later, Avery announced that there would be significant changes to the coaching staff. First, head coach Sean McCaffery and third assistant coach Sam Crawford have been fired. Secondly, Art Rawlings and Abel Stanley would be demoted one step, now second and third assistant respectively. These changes allowed Simon Legault to become the new head coach and Baron Hunley the new first assistant. Regarding these changes, Avery stated, “This was not an easy decision. Both Sean and Sam worked tirelessly with this team and we truly appreciate their effort. However, it was time for a new direction, one that took us back to our French roots in Legault and our defensive focus in Baron.”
Legault stated, “I am super excited to be back in my home province, having grown up in Quebec City. I’m looking forward to getting to know my follow coaches as well as the players and other staff. I’m quite excited about the young talent we have in TyReal Deal and P.J. Orr. I know those young men are going to have great careers!”
When I asked Avery if any other major changes were in the works, she wasn’t the most forthcoming. “We are of course looking at all our available options and currently judging which will benefit the organization the best.” Could the upcoming free agency be on her mind, especially given that Favors will be hitting the market. Favors averages 20.4 points a game and 4.6 assists per game and has been the face of the franchise for several years. Chris Watkins, the owner of the Argonauts, is a huge fan of Favors and would love for him to retire with his team. Both Avery and Favors stated that they will see what free agency will bring.