For Vadim Halimov, the dream is no longer a dream.

He can reflect on his final year of College basketball eligibility with fond memories and a huge smile.

Still not over, with the post-season ahead, what a year it has been for him.

Fans of the game will single out No. 24 for his phenomenal season of scoring 30 or more points in 13 of 19 league games in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. In a few other games, he came within a point or two of 30.

Top scorer in the country is also something special as the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association had him on top, the No. 1 point-getter, of their scoring chart throughout the season.

And Valentine's Day evening will go down in Canadian College basketball history as something special for the 25-year old who entered his second last league game, playing against his former team with a remarkable performance against Seneca that even had opposing fans applauding him.

A season-high 46 points, 11 rebounds, 18 of 22 from the foul line, the game-winning point with 1.0 seconds left on the clock, two OCAA records shattered, the game ball and a post-game hoisting of celebration by teammates in front of cheering fans, friends and his family.

Hmm, beat that for the Huskies team captain who many think should be the OCAA's Player of the Year.

Talk to Halimov now and most of that personal hype is over, even though two successful free throw shots in his final game in Barrie against Georgian will get him a third OCAA record.

For the native of Uzbekistan, who learned basketball in his teens in Canada, he's glad, too. Halimov says the real celebration comes in the playoffs.

"It's nice to set records and have people support me, but from Day One it's been about the team and finishing the job," said Halimov, a strong candidate for George Brown's Male Athlete of the Year award. "We're always learning, having fun, making mistakes and correcting them, benefitting from great coaches but, player for player, we know the goal is the league championship."

To do that, will take more than just Halimov scoring the big points.

Fourteen players will have to play the best basketball of their lives, cutting down on turnovers and fouls and focusing on teamwork and a positive attitude while playing against some of the best in the OCAA.

Halimov will get his points, but the task now falls on the team getting the job done. - DG