Prince George, BC – The UNBC Timberwolves will hold a special ceremony during tonight's final home games of the basketball season to say goodbye to six graduating players…

The women's team is losing four veteran players from its roster – Mercedes VanKoughnett, Emily Kaehn, Chelsey Thorne, and Jen Bruce.  While the men's team is losing Dan Stark and Charles Barton.

UNBC Sports Information Officer, Jesse Olynyk, says VanKoughnett has been a staple for the Timberwolves, leading the team in almost every stats category.  He says the 5th year guard has upped her scoring average by five points per game in comparison to last season and has shown repeatedly that she is able to compete with the best from across the Canada West League.  Both Kaehn and Bruce have been major contributors this season, as well, averaging double digits each game.  And Thorne, says Olynyk, is a unique case – graduating in 2011, but enrolling in classes at UNBC this year so that she could play her final year of eligibility with the Timberwolves.

The UNBC Sports spokesperson says, "The loss of four players, three of which have been consistent starters for the Timberwolves, will leave the women's basketball program in another rebuilding year as they search to fill the roles of their graduating players."

The men's team graduated four players last year, so is in a slightly better situation graduating just two from the roster this year.  Olynyk says Charles Barton is one of the most athletic players on the team, known for his high-flying dunks and outside shot.  The Vernon native has led the Timberwolves in scoring and rebounds.  Although Dan Stark is graduating from UNBC this spring, he only used four out of his five eligibility years, so Olynyk says there is a chance that fans might see him on the floor again next year.

The Timberwolves play the UFV Cascades in their final home games of the season tonight.  The women play at 6pm, and the men at 8pm.  The ceremony to celebrate the 'grads' contributions will be held between games, at approximately 7:30pm.