Bhatti, Ingalls, Thomson named BU athletes of year

Sultan Bhatti left his mark on one of the most decorated men’s basketball programs in the country.

The Montreal native started his Brandon University Bobcats career as a role player, and left as one of just seven multi-time all-Canadians in program history.

Now he’s leaving Brandon University as a multi-time male athlete of the year, along with co-female athletes of the year Carly Thomson and Piper Ingalls.

“I’m truly grateful and honoured to receive athlete of the year,” Bhatti said in a video message, as he was unable to attend the banquet.

“It means a lot to me. I worked pretty hard for this award all year.”

Bhatti finished near the top of the conference in all the major statistical categories for the second year in a row.

He averaged 20.1 points per game (third), 10.5 rebounds (second), 89.2 per cent free-throw shooting (second), 5.7 assists (second) and 2.1 steals (sixth), becoming the first multi-time all-Canadian Bobcat since Earnest Bell in 2001.

Bhatti was the runner-up for Canada West player of the year, as the top vote getter in the Prairie Division.

“He’ll go down as one of the best kids I’ve ever coached. Back-to-back all-Canadians is nothing to take lightly at all,” said Bobcats head coach Gil Cheung.

“His numbers speak for themselves. He took a chance coming to Brandon University and he wouldn’t trade that for the world. He had five great years, rookie of the year on our side and finishes with his degree as well. He made a great decision and we’re definitely going to miss him.

Ingalls completed a career arc marked by immense growth, progressing from a redshirt to limited minutes to 15.9 points per game, the fifth-best mark in Canada West as a fifth-year player.

She had two dominant newcomers join the team in Ella Averill and Macaya Copeland, who were named co-MVPs of the team before Ingalls received one of BU’s major awards.

“It was pretty good, especially with it being my last year, last of seven years. It’s pretty special,” Ingalls said.

“I was definitely a different player my first year to now.”

The Moose Jaw, Sask., product led the league with 55 three-pointers made, while shooting 39 per cent from the field, 37 from deep and 79 from the charity stripe.

The five-foot-three guard helped the Bobcats jump from a 2-18 record to 7-13, earning a spot in the top 12 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

“That was amazing, all the girls put in so much work this season and coach (Ilarion Bonhomme) helped with that a lot.”

Thomson capped her four years of virtually never leaving the court as a Bobcat with more of the same.

The fifth-year setter, who transferred from her hometown Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, Alta., following the 2021-22 campaign, held down the starting job while serving as BU’s captain.

“It feels really good. I’m just happy to be here with my teammates one more time,” Thomson said.

“It doesn’t happen so much anymore now that the season’s over, so I’m happy to be here and celebrate.”

She pushed the Bobcats to another step forward in the win column as the team finished 3-17, including victories over the Regina Cougars, UBC Okanagan Heat and Canada West silver medallist Trinity Western Spartans.

Thomson averaged 7.38 assists per set, while by far leading all setters in kills with 75.

“My goal going into this year was to try to appreciate every moment and have fun enjoying volleyball and being with my teammates,” Thomson said.

“That was the key, having a great and joy-filled last season.”

QUICK HITS: BU athlete services, alumni and events co-ordinator Tyler Crayston was recognized for calling his 500th Bobcat broadcast.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com