In the finale of Stetson University’s four-game summer basketball tour in Canada, star sophomore Derick Newton scored a game-high 14 points in helping the Hatters defeat Concordia and finish 3-1 in Montreal, Quebec.

The win left head coach Corey Williams “extremely happy” by virtue of playing challenging games against tough competition. The Hatters also benefitted from 10 additional days of practice prior to leaving for Montreal in what amounted to a “chance to jump start our season,” according to Williams.

The only blemish was a loss to six-time defending national champion Carleton. On Aug. 9, the Hatters returned home to DeLand, Fla., and, with four starters back from last season, are greatly optimistic about success in a regular season that begins Nov. 11.

The experience was a learning one.

That’s on the basketball court. For the Hatters, the trip meant a cultural learning, too.

The team spent time examining the culture, commerce and day-to-day life in one of North America’s most historic cities. With a population of nearly 4 million people, Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world (following Paris).

“We want our guys to understand a little bit more about how vital Montreal is to Canada,” Williams said before the trip. “Even though Canada is a country that’s familiar to all of us, I think it’s important for our kids to get a complete look at another culture. This is a significant educational opportunity for the team. It’s not just a basketball trip.”

Among those highlights, the team visited Old Montreal, a part of downtown Montreal that has been preserved in much of its original state and where 17^th– and 18^th-century architecture is on full display. There was a stop at Olympic Stadium, main site of the 1976 Summer Olympics, located at Olympic Park in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuvedistrict of Montreal. Notre-Dame Basilica, a grand church adorned with sculptures, which towers over cobblestone streets, provided further insight. Several other locales also were part of the trip.

“It was a great educational and basketball experience,” said Williams upon return. “I’m really thrilled that our kids got the opportunity to not only compete internationally, but to learn a lot about a different country and culture at the same time.”

Score one for summertime basketball/cultural play.

-Michael Candelaria