Heading into their final two games of the first half of the OUA men's basketball schedule, the Laurentian Voyageurs sit with a record of 5-4 and a very good chance of enjoying Christmas above the .500 mark.
That might not normally mean a whole lot except for the fact that their five wins to date are already more victories than the L.U. lads posted in their entire season in either 2022-2023 or 2023-2024.
To be completely honest, none of this comes as a surprise in the least to 23 year-old veteran Kamil Dia Hantchi, easily the most tenured Voyageur on the roster and the team's third leading scorer with exactly 11 points per game, trailing front-runners and newcomers Nginyu Ngala (13.2 ppg) and Shawn Barthelemy (12.2).
"I saw the excitement and the many changes that were being made," said Dia Hantchi this week as his team prepares to welcome the Waterloo Warriors (4-5) to town Saturday night.
"I saw how important it was how we carry ourselves, as individuals, on the court and off the court, learning what basketball can teach you about life."
A short chat with the french-speaking native of Niger confirmed that the fourth year Sociology major is clearly a fan of the work being done under second year coach Brandon Edwards, who cut his teeth at Laurentian last winter, guiding the Voyageurs to a 4-18 record following his arrival from the very successful Brock Badgers' program.
"He (coach Edwards) told us this at the beginning and it looks like it's all getting done," said Dia Hantchi. "Challenges were made every day. You're going to get challenged every day to be a better basketball player - and a better person, in life."
On the court, the addition of both Nginyu Ngala (AUS all-star with the Dalhousie Tigers) and Shawn Berthelemy (Montreal native who spent two years with the Southern Nazarene Storm (NCAA) in Bethany, Oklahoma (just outside of Oklahoma City) has certainly paid dividends.
"The way that guys can create for others and are able to create for themselves - it's a drastic improvement," suggested Dia Hantchi. "Once we start figuring out the other pieces, we'll improve even more."
"I think we're getting close, but there are still a lot of things that we need to work on."
The Voyageurs actually took a record of 5-2 on the road last weekend, coming up a little short against both the Windsor Lancers (89-81 - record of 5-5) and the Western Mustangs (88-71 - record of 5-6).
And, of course, the second half of the L.U. schedule features a total of six games against the East Division power troika: Carleton Ravens, Ottawa Gee Gees, Queen's Gaels - three teams with a combined record of 23-3, at the moment.
Dia Hantchi and company are not oblivious to what lies ahead.
"We are willing to fight, as a team, knowing the challenge that is coming," he said. "These upcoming games are going to be tough. As a team, that's exciting. We can do something against these teams."
"We play in the toughest division, but that's a challenge - and I can't wait."