2003-04 OUA - women - From Naismith to Nash

REGULAR SEASON

EAST				WEST
Ottawa	17-5	25-14	Angie McLeod	Western	16-6	20-11	Mike Milne
Laurentian	17-5	20-10	Mike Clarke	Brock	14-8	18-12	Chris Critelli
Toronto	17-5	22-11	Michele Belanger	Guelph	12-10	18-16	Angela Orton
Queen’s	16-6	23-12	Dave Wilson	Laurier	12-10	17-17	Stu Julius
York	10-12	14-17	Bill Pangos	McMaster	12-10	15-19	Theresa Burns
Ryerson	8-14	10-23	Sandy Pothier	Waterloo	9-13	10-21	Tom O’Brien
Carleton	7-15	9-18	Christie Lauzon	Lakehead	5-17	6-26	Jon Kreiner
RMC	0-22	0-25	Brad Schur	Windsor	4-18	5-22	Georgia Risnita

Playoff non-qualifiers:

Carleton Ravens: Avely Serin, Ashley Mackay, Brooke Ritchie, Kristen Petrushka, Dasa Farthing, Deidra Smith, Jennifer Zymantas, Dawn Germain, Stephanie Kewin, Caitlin Sparks, Sarah Kennedy, Katrin Urban, Ashley Kimmett, Cassandra Nelson, coach Christie Lauzon, assistant Mario Gaetano

Lakehead Thunderwolves: Karen Barry, Tara Boyce, Megan Corby, Kimberly Mathieu, Kyllie Daniar, Marissa Hudolin, Kristi Huff, Katerina Martinovic, Kathryn Walters, Elaine McNeice, Joy Kolic, Robyn DeGray, Dana DiCasmirro, Laura Drombolis, Tiana D’Angelo, Jaimie Jorgenson, Lisa St. Onge, coach Jon Kreiner

RMC Paladins: Kendra Bencun, Elizabeth Polkiewicz, Dominique Price, Carolyne Vallee, Kareen Montambault, Heather Smith, Jennifer Donofrio, Kathryn Ward, Lynette Leister, Andrea Hanley, Dana Dempster, Anne-Mari Budgell, coach Brad Schur

Ryerson Rams: Ashley Keohan, Jenne Fair, Stephanie Hart, Alexis Rakovac, Teshia Allen, Kristina Valiunas, Justine Navarro, Stephanie Nelson, Asha Forrester, Lisa Greig, Kelli Robinson, Amanda Redhead, Rebecca Sinnesael, Tamara Alleyne-Gittens, Kathy-Ann Grizzle, coach Sandy Pothier

Windsor Lancers: Nicole Green, Stacy Newbigging, Diane Chittle, Trisha Remark, Kim Dillon, Krista Banner, Tamara Larson, Karie Jackson, Lisa Henry, Tatiana Danelon, Jessi Piroski, Lisa Devenny, Allison Cake, Kara French, Celina Boswell, coach Georgia Risnita

York Lions: Chantal Gray, Christa Lodge, Carlene Siopsis, Donna Fantuzzi, Marla Gladstone, Jaemie McCluskey, Jodi Gram, Sarah Brodie, Kim Gibbs, Brenan Rurak, Nastassia Subban, Jillian Shelley, Cortney Fuller, Sarah Teeter, Meghan Jarvis, coach Bill Pangos

In the West quarterfinals, Wilfrid Laurier defeated McMaster 58-50 in a tight defensive affair. Both teams forced each other to the perimeter although McMaster was able to find a few more penetration lanes as they built a 31-26 lead at the half. But the Golden Hawks broke it open midway through the second half with a 6-0 run and then Dee Channer iced it at the free throw line down the stretch. Laurier switched to a zone in the second half and shut down the Marauders interior game. Channer led the Golden Hawks with 15 points on 4-6 from the floor, 7-8 from the line, 16 boards and 3 steals. Sarah Zagorski added 13 on 5-15 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 3 boards 3 assists. Laura Taylor scored 7 on 3-7 from the floor and 1-3 from the line. Meaghan McGrath scored 6 on 2-12 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 2-4 from the line and 4 boards. Robin Roszell scored 5 on 1-4 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 2 boards. Sarah Barnes added 5 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 6 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Rebecca Williams added 3 on 1-2 from the floor and 1-2 from the arc. Heather Sutherland added 2 and Natasha Barrington 2, along with 2 boards, while Emily Conrad and Kerry Jilesen were scoreless. Conrad nabbed 2 boards. The Golden Hawks shot 20-62 from the floor, 2-14 from the arc and 16-25 from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 7 assists, 10 turnovers, 3 blocks and 9 steals. Golden Hawks coach Stu Julius told the Hamilton Spectator that “it was a pretty good team effort.” Christin Dickenson led McMaster with 14 points on 5-13 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 2-5 from the line, 4 boards and 3 assists. Andrea Venner added 13 on 4-6 from the floor, 3-4 from the arc and 2-4 from the line. Sarah Sterling scored 11 on 5-8 from the floor, 1-4 from the line and 6 boards. Chiara Rocca scored 4 on 2-4 from the floor, 7 boards and 3 blocks. Heather Gowan added 4 on 2-7 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 2 boards. Fiona Cheng added 2 and Deanna Hollinger 2, along with 2 boards, while Alicia Fidanza was scoreless and nabbed 3 boards. The Marauders (coached by Theresa Burns) also included Alicia Jury, Vanessa Casuccio, Jessica Shelley, Kristine Salmon, Jenna Garbaty and Brittany Gardhouse. The Marauders shot 20-49 from the floor, 5-14 from the arc and 5-15 from the line, while garnering 26 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 19 fouls, 4 assists, 18 turnovers, 6 blocks and 3 steals.

In the other West quarterfinal, sixth-seed Waterloo shocked host and third-seed Guelph 56-37 as the Warriors defence forced the Gryphons into a barrage of poor shots and forced numerous turnovers. In the first half, Waterloo jumped out to an early 11-2 lead before Guelph steadied themselves and staged a brief rally that gave them the lead at 17-15. But UW regained its scoring touch and went to the locker room with a 25-17 lead. In the second half, the Warriors steadily built their lead into a comfortable double digit margin and withstood a flurry of Gryphon fouls to record the relatively easy 19 point victory. Julie Devenny paced Waterloo with 17 points on 3-12 from the floor, 11-12 from the line, 5 boards and 3 steals. Gillian Maxwell added 10 on 4-6 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 6 boards and 2 steals. Laura Strauss scored 9 on 1-8 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 7-10 from the line and 4 boards. Amanda Kieswetter scored 6 on 3-7 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 assists. Nicole Tisdale added 6 on 2-2 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 assists. Kate McCrae added 3 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 steals. Katie Tucker added 3 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals. Leslie Futter 2, along with 3 boards. The Warriors shot 16-44 from the line, 2-8 from the arc and 22-28 from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 15 fouls, 7 assists, 22 turnovers, 2 blocks and 11 steals. Sharon Hollinshead and Kiley Little each scored 7 to lead Guelph. Hollinshead hit 3-6 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and nabbed 3 boards. Little scored her 7 on 2-3 from the floor and 3-4 from the line. Janet Pritchard added 6 on 3-4 from the floor and 3 boards. Anne Marie Ssemanda added 5 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 4 boards. Jessica Nieuwland added 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 4 boards. Stephanie Yallin added 3 on 1-12 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 4 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. Kathryn Nevar added 2 on 1-6 from the floor and 0-1 from the arc. Tina Flynn scored 2 on 1-10 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 steals. Katie Guthrie added 2, while Jaclyn Beitz, Emily Chan, Emily Peaker, Carly Zuke and Shelly Burton were scoreless. Beitz nabbed 2 boards. The Gryphons (coached by Angela Orton, assisted by Skye Angus, Dean Huyck, Ian Smith and Angela Hrkac, managed by Maggie Davies and trained by Rich Durocher) also included Janet Pritchard. The Gryphons shot 13-58 from the floor, 2-18 from the arc and 9-12 from the line, while garnering 26 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 6 assists, 23 turnovers, 3 blocks and 10 steals, including 3 by Yallin.

In the West semis, Laurier upset top-seed Western 70-62. Sarah Zagorski paced Laurier with 21 points on 9-11 from the floor, 3-3 from the arc, 2 boards, 2 assists and 4 steals. Kerri Jilesen added 14 on 6-9 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 11 boards and 2 blocks. Meaghan McGrath scored 13 on 5-14 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 6 boards and 4 steals. Dee Channer scored 8 on 2-8 from the floor, 4-4 from the line, 5 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. Rebecca Williams scored 6 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 2 boards. Robin Roszell added 4 on 2-7 from the floor, 0-2 from the line and 4 boards. Laura Taylor added 2 and Natasha Barrington 2, along with 2 boards, while Sarah Barnes, Emily Conrad and Heather Sutherland were scoreless. Sutherland nabbed 2 boards. The Golden Hawks shot 26-62 from the floor, 5-16 from the arc and 13-18 from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 9 assists, 15 turnovers, 2 blocks and 12 steals. Rebecca McColl paced Western with 17 points on 5-16 from the floor, 7-10 from the line, 9 boards and 3 assists. Julie Lamparski scored 16 on 5-10 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc, 4-10 from the line, 5 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Cheryl Atkinson scored 14 on 6-9 from the floor, 2-4 from the line and 7 boards. Karenina Aguilar scored 6 on 2-4 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc and 2 assists. Alana Juzenas added 5 on 2-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 8 boards and 4 assists. Rebecca Heeney notched 4 on 1-2 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 4 boards, while Chelsea Elwood, Katherine Gonzalez, Charlene Tortosa and Tenley Walker were scoreless. The Mustangs (coached by Michael Milne) also included Sarah Bureau, Charlene Camillo, Amy D’Ornellas, Sasha Kurilsky and Lesley Suchter. The Mustangs shot 21-56 from the floor, 4-13 from the arc and 16-28 from the line, while garnering 34 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 12 assists, 17 turnovers, 1 block and 4 steals. “Going nine for 20 from the free throw line and Laurier hitting a 50-foot buzzer beater in the first half contributed to the loss,” Mustangs coach Mike Milne told the Western Gazette. “We had an excellent opportunity to win the game but did not finish around the basket when needed.”

In the other West semi, Brock stomped Waterloo 66-49. The Badgers led 35-27 at the half and 53-36 with 10:06 to play. Waterloo closed to within eight but Tara Poulin stemmed the bleeding with a long trey. Badger Erin Allin told the St. Catharines Standard that “there might have been (pressure) with other players but I knew we could hang on as long as we could play good defence.” Badgers coach Chris Critelli said Allan is “one of the best defensive players in the province and she stepped it up offensively at a huge time.” Critelli added that Poulin’s trey “relieved a lot of pressure.” Jodie Ebeling led Brock with 19 points on 5-10 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 7-8 from the line, 5 boards and 2 assists. Erin Allan added 18 on 7-8 from the floor, 4-8 from the line, 9 boards and 2 steals. Stacey Farr scored 11 on 4-13 from the floor, 1-3 from the line, 8 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Tara Poulin scored 9 on 3-4 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 3 assists and 2 steals. Cassie Tatham scored 7 on 3-10 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 2 assists and 2 steals. Becky Gallant scored 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 assists, while Krysten Adams, Kaila Agius and Denise Navarro were scoreless. Adams nabbed 3 boards. The Badgers shot 23-53 from the floor, 5-16 from the arc and 15-23 from the line, while garnering 30 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 15 assists, 17 turnovers, 2 blocks and 11 steals. Julie Devenny paced Waterloo with 22 points on 8-15 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 5-8 from the line, 7 boards and 2 blocks. Amanda Kieswetter added 11 on 4-8 from the floor, 3-4 from the arc, 3 boards and 5 assists. Gillian Maxwell scored 7 on 3-9 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc and 8 boards. Leslie Futter scored 4 on 2-4 from the floor and 5 boards. Katie Tucker added 3 on 1-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 1-2 from the line. Kate McCrae 2, along with 3 boards and 2 steals, while Madeleine Noble and Laura Strauss were scoreless. Strauss nabbed 2 boards. The Warriors (coached by Tom O’Brien, assistant Craig Nickel, strength & conditioning Lori Kraemer, managers Sharon Rich and Heather Ball, therapist Melissa Findlay and Riley Stewart) also included Julie Kheidr, Lindsay Offner, Taryn Spicer, Nicole Tisdale, Carolina Beairsto and Meaghan O’Reilly. The Warriors shot 19-52 from the floor, 4-8 from the arc and 7-14 from the line, while garnering 30 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 10 assists, 23 turnovers, 3 blocks and 6 steals. Waterloo coach Tom O’Brien told the Imprint that “I give them full credit. Tonight, we missed some easy shots and they took full advantage.” The Badgers led 35-27 at the half. O’Brien said Jodie Ebeling “is just a great player. Brock has so many offensive weapons.” Brock coach Chris Critelli said “we knew we were in for a ball game. They surprised a lot of people. I thought they did a very good job.”

In the West final, Laurier nipped Brock 62-59. Meaghan McGrath led Laurier with 22 points on 8-15 from the floor, 5-7 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Dee Channer scored 15 on 7-14 from the arc, 0-1 from the line and 11 boards. Sarah Zagorski scored 12 on 5-10 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Rebecca Williams scored 5 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 2-2 from the line. Kerri Jilesen added 5 on 2-10 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 5 boards and 2 blocks. Natasha Barrington added 2, along with 3 boards, and Sarah Barnes 1, along with 2 boards, while Emily Conrad, Robin Roszell, Heather Sutherland and Laura Taylor were scoreless. The Golden Hawks shot 24-63 from the floor, 7-18 from the arc and 7-10 from the line, while garnering 30 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 21 fouls, 13 assists, 14 turnovers, 2 blocks and 8 steals. Golden Hawks coach Stu Julius told the St. Catharines Standard that “Stacey (Farr) was giving us fits in the first half. In the second half, when she got the ball, we sent everything and the kitchen sink at her. … The other big key was (point guard Sarah) Zagorski did a great job on Jodie (Ebeling) in the second half. She’s so good you can’t look the wrong way.” Stacey Farr led Brock with 19 points on 8-16 from the floor, 1-3 from the line, 11 boards, 5 assists and 2 blocks before fouling out. Erin Allan scored 12 on 5-9 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 5 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Jodie Ebeling scored 11 on 3-10 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 4-5 from the line, 2 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Tara Poulin scored 7 on 2-7 from the floor, 3-3 from the line, 9 boards and 2 assists. Cassie Tatham scored 7 on 3-13 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 0-1 from the line and 4 boards. Becky Gallant scored 3 on 1-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 5 boards, while Krysten Adams and Larkin Lamarche were scoreless. Lamarche nabbed 2 boards. The Badgers shot 22-57 from the floor, 2-14 from the arc and 13-22 from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 14 assists, 24 turnovers, 2 blocks and 7 steals. Badgers coach Chris Critelli said “it goes to show you that Stacey is the MVP in Ontario. She just dominated. … They were daring us to shoot outside. We couldn’t make any.”

In the East semis, Laurentian nipped Queen’s 60-58. Laurentian drilled six 3-pointers as they exploded to a 41-31 lead at the half. But Queen’s rallied to within two with three minutes to play on a series of baseline jumpers by Jen Bittner before missing a half-dozen opportunities to knot it, including a pair of layups in the final 10 seconds on which the Gaels were hacked by Voyageurs, as both teams contracted a case of the jitters and went scoreless down the stretch. “We couldn’t let them come into our house and beat us,” said Voyageurs guard Cassandra Carpenter. Tierney Hoo and Cara Dodsley each scored 15 for Laurentian. Hoo scored 15 on 5-9 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 5 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Dodsley scored 15 on 7-15 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Carolyn Plummer scored 8 on 2-9 from the floor, 4-6 from the line, 5 boards and 2 assists. Cassandra Carpenter added 7 on 3-14 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 7 boards and 2 assists. Lindsay Malott added 6 on 2-5 from the floor and 2-4 from the line. Caitlin Blackadder scored 4 on 2-2 from the floor, 4 boards and 3 assists. Erica Johnson added 2, Kate Walker 2, along with 2 boards, and Brianne Henry 1 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 3 boards and 3 assists, while Christal Blanchard was scoreless. The Lady Vees shot 23-59 (.390) from the floor, 7-13 (.538) from the arc and 7-12 (.583) from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 9 fouls, 18 assists, 11 turnovers, 1 block and 9 steals. Jennifer Bittner led Queen’s with 17 points on 7-15 from the floor, 3-9 from the arc, 7 boards and 4 assists. Amy Goodday scored 16 on 7-14 from the floor, 2-4 from the line 13 boards and 4 blocks. Erin McDiarmid scored 15 on 5-10 from the floor, 5-5 from the line, 6 boards and 3 assists. Nathalie MacNeil added 6 points on 2-8 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc and 2 boards. Jessica Selinger and Lindsay Robb each scored 2, while Casey Pratt, Claire Meadows and Kyla Burwash were scoreless. Pratt was 0-9 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc and garnered 3 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. Meadows nabbed 2 boards and dished 4 assists. Burwash had 2 assists and 2 steals. Queen’s (coached by Dave Wilson, assisted by Tim Orpin and Sam Miller) also included Sheila McNeill, Chloe Wilson, Kira Borden, Agnes Herra and Katherine Middleton. The Golden Gaels shot 23-65 (.354) from the floor, 5-20 (.250) from the arc and 7-9 (.778) from the line, while garnering 36 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 20 assists, 14 turnovers, 4 blocks and 7 steals.

In the other East semi, Ottawa dumped Toronto 62-55. Ignore the final score and the almost horrendous first half. The reality is that the University of Ottawa women’s basketball Gee-Gees fought through a stern test last night and came out with a passing grade. The Gee-Gees captured their first Ontario University Athletics postseason tournament win since 1976 by dumping Toronto. Although the Toronto officiating crew hit the Gee-Gees with five altogether questionable touch fouls in the first four minutes of play, Ottawa broke to an early 20-15 lead on the perimeter shooting of Moyle and Hilary Foster. With several Gee-Gee starters in foul trouble, the Varsity Blues crept to within 28-26 at the half on aggressive offensive rebounding by Julia Gaffield, Brilynn Ferguson and Jennifer Coens. Point guard Moriah Trowell nailed a three treys, hit a layup on a backdoor cut and stole the ball to set up Miranda Killam for a transition bucket as the Gee-Gees extended their lead to 11 midway through the second half. With Killam’s tenacious defence hounding Toronto star Nikki Doucet into miscues, the Gee-Gees appeared headed to a rout. But Gaffield rallied the Blues, hitting three perimeter jumpers as Toronto trimmed the margin to 49-45. Moyle calmed the Gee-Gees nerves, nailing a pair of three-pointers as Ottawa took command with a decisive 8-0 run and held on for the win with a measure of tenacious defence by Killam and defensive rebounding by Natalie Johnston. “We regrouped after that first half,” Moyle said. “Everyone stepped up. We played great team basketball. That’s what’s going to get us to nationals.” Coach Angie McLeod said Killam’s defence proved the difference. “Miranda proved why she should have chosen Defensive Player of the Year this season. She was amazing on both ends of the floor.” Kristen Moyle led Ottawa with 18 points on 6-12 from the floor, 4-9 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Moriah Trowell added 15 on 6-14 from the floor, 3-7 from the arc, 2 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals. Miranda Killam scored 9 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Julie Rodrigue scored 4 on 2-11 from the floor, 3 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Natalie Johnston scored 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the line 8 boards and 2 assists. Leah Hubbard added 4 on 2-2 from the floor. Hilary Foster added 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc and 0-2 from the line. Veronique Martineau added 3 on 1-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 4 boards and 3 steals. Cara Weiss added 2, while Melanie Bouchard and Caroline Alain were scoreless. The Gee-Gees shot 24-59 (.407) from the floor, 8-19 (.421) from the arc and 6-10 (.600) from the line, while garnering 22 boards, including 4 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 18 assists, 11 turnovers, 2 blocks and 15 steals. OUA East player of the year Nikki Doucet, a fifth-year transfer from St. Francis Xavier, led Toronto with 18 points on 6-15 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 6-7 from the line, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Brilynn Ferguson scored 11 on 4-8 from the floor, 3-6 from the line and 12 boards. Julia Gaffield added 9 on 4-7 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals. Vanessa Nobrega scored 8 on 3-10 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc and 2-2 from the line. Christine Cho scored 3 on 1-8 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Sue Ann Vital added 4 on 1-4 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 2 boards. Jennifer Coens scored 2 on 1-6 from the floor and 5 boards, while Angela Hummel and Amanda Van Leeuwen were scoreless. Hummel nabbed 2 boards. The Blues (coached by Michele Belanger, assisted by Cathy Casey, Jim Henderson and Mary Ann Kowal) also included Kristen Cullen, Stephanie Kolanos and Kaila MacAlpine. The Blues shot 20-59 (.339) from the floor, 1-6 (.167) from the arc and 14-19 (.737) from the line, while garnering 45 boards, including 17 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 7 assists, 19 turnovers, 2 blocks and 6 steals.

In the East final, it would’ve taken a box of sandpaper to wipe the smiles off the faces of the Gee-Gees. But then, they had good reason to be grinning like banshees. They’d just captured their first Ontario University Athletics East division postseason crown and earned their first berth in the 33-year-old Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships. They’d also earned a measure of payback, having twice lost to Laurentian during the regular season, so there was that much more cause to be filled with joy after dumping the host Voyageurs 68-55 at the Ben Avery Gymnasium. From the start, they played without fear, having conducted a “midnight ceremonial Laurentian burning” in the parking lot of their hotel a night earlier, with each member of the team writing down their fears on a piece of paper and then tossing it into a mini-bonfire. Then they’d rocked their way into the gym, dancing in the aisles on their bus to the tune of ‘Get Low’ by Lil John. Upon arriving, they laughed upon discovering that a cabal of Gee-Gees parents had subversively pilfered the pots used by Laurentian’s notorious pot-banging crazies to rattle opponents into distraction. But the parent’s plot was thwarted by the school’s pot police, who threatened prosecution, seized the cookware and distributed it among fans more sympathetic to the Voyageur’s cause. Yet even the pot police were unable to slow the Gee-Gees juggernaut. “I never thought I’d say this but I’m speechless,” said elated captain Kristen Moyle. “I’m just overflowing with emotion. I really didn’t think this would ever happen.” Guard Moriah Trowell added that “going to nationals was just too long overdue. This was do-or-die for us, the last chance to get there and we played like that.” “We kicked some butt,” added Miranda Killam. “We were pumped. We were up from the start and we stayed up the whole way.” “We’d exorcised our fears of Laurentian on those pieces of paper last night, and burned them and let them go,” said Natalie Johnston. “Obviously it worked. We had no fear coming in here whatsoever.” Although the Gee-Gees missed their first seven shots, their defensive box-outs were impeccable and Killam’s defence on Laurentian star Tierney Hoo was breathtaking as the Gee-Gees pounded the ball to Julie Rodrigue and Veronique Martineau in the low post and then crashed the glass like caged animals to build a 34-25 lead at the half. They opened the second half with an 11-0 run, capped by Killam and Moyle three-pointers, to extend their lead to 20 and then withstood a furious Laurentian rally before icing it on the line by hitting 10 free throws in the final two minutes of play, including seven by Trowell. Moriah Trowell paced the Gee-Gees with 21 points on 6-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 8-13 from the line, 12 boards and 4 assists. Julie Rodrigue added 13 on 5-12 from the floor, 3-3 from the line and 5 boards. Kristen Moyle scored 11 on 3-7 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 3-6 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Miranda Killam scored 8 on 3-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 5 boards. Natalie Johnston scored 7 on 2-6 from the floor, 3-4 from the line, 11 boards and 2 assists. Veronique Martineau scored 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 9 boards. Cara Weiss scored 3 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 3 boards. Hilary Foster added 1 on 0-4 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 3 boards. The Gee-Gees shot 21-57 (.368) from the floor, 5-12 (.417) from the arc and 21-32 (.656) from the line, while garnering 50 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 12 assists, 20 turnovers, 1 block and 1 steal. Tierney Hoo led Laurentian with 22 points on 7-19 from the floor, 4-9 from the arc, 4-6 from the line and 7 boards. Cara Dodsley scored 9 on 4-12 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 3 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. Cassandra Carpenter added 7 on 2-10 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-3 from the line, 11 boards and 3 steals. Carolyn Plummer scored 6 on 2-11 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Brianne Henry added 5 on 0-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 5-6 from the line and 2 assists. Erica Johnson scored 4 on 1-3 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards and 2 steals. Christal Blanchard 2, along with 2 boards, while Caitlin Blackadder, Kate Walker, Lindsay Malott, Symone Wilson, Ashley MacSporran and Christianne Bauck were scoreless. Blackadder nabbed 2 boards. The Lady Vees shot 17-70 (.243) from the floor, 6-21 (.286) from the arc and 15-24 (.625) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 9 assists, 6 turnovers, 1 block and 12 steals.

In the Wilson Cup, after more than three decades of toiling in oblivion, the University of Ottawa women’s basketball Gee-Gees finally have a provincial championship banner to hang in the rafters of Montpetit Hall. Although it took perhaps the most luminous performance ever seen in garnet & grey by point guard Moriah Trowell, the Ontario University Athletics East titlist Gee-Gees rallied from a 12-point half-time deficit to dump OUA West titlist Wilfrid Laurier 64-60 yesterday to commandeer the school’s first provincial crown. Yet, there was more at stake than just OUA bragging rights. With both teams having already qualified for this week’s Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships in Winnipeg, there was the matter of earning a higher tournament seed. Then there was school honour to defend, given that athletic director Luc Gelineau had made a side bet with Laurier A.D. Peter Baxter, with the loser having to sport the opponent’s colours when their football teams meet next fall. With a banner to be won and all that pride on the line, “there was no way we could let them beat us in our house,” said never-say-die championship MVP Trowell, who scored 24 and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Gee-Gees neglected both their low-post defence and rebounding responsibilities as they fell behind 41-29 at the break. But they abandoned their foray into group catatonia in the second half and began boxing-out on the boards, while demonstrating some familiarity with the principle of defensive rotations. They opened with a 10-3 run, including a pair of low-post buckets by Julie Rodrigue, a Kristen Moyle three-pointer and a driving layup by Trowell. Then Trowell took total command, hammering a pair of three-pointers, tipping-in an offensive rebound and slashing into the paint for a layup to give the Gee-Gees a 52-48 lead. She ripped down four critical defensive boards, knifed along the baseline for a bucket and twice dished the ball to Rodrigue for layups as the Gee-Gees extended the margin to 61-49 and then hung on for the win to earn a standing ovation from the rabid hometown fans. “We got outworked in the first half,” said Trowell. “But it’s all about heart and in the second half, we said, forget it, you are not going to beat us, or outwork us, in our gym.” Rodrigue said the notion of being humiliated at home was unacceptable. “We started doing the little things right. Everyone stepped up, played good team defence and started having fun.” Fifth-year senior Natalie Johnston said the Gee-Gees couldn’t let the long-elusive championship banner slip away without a fight. “We’re all so tired right now, it’s probably not showing. But what we’ve accomplished will sink in, in about two hours, and then we’ll be totally ecstatic.” Coach Angie McLeod couldn’t find the words to describe Trowell’s sublime performance. “She just won’t let this team lose. That’s the kind of kid she is.” Trowell paced Ottawa with 24 points on 10-15 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc, 1-4 from the line, 12 boards and 2 steals. Julie Rodrigue added 20 on 7-15 from the floor, 6-9 from the line and 4 boards. Miranda Killam scored 8 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4-6 from the line and 8 boards. Kristen Moyle scored 5 on 2-6 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Natalie Johnston scored 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5 boards and 3 assists. Hilary Foster added 3 on 1-5 from the floor and 1-3 from the arc. Cara Weiss scored 2, while Caroline Alain, Melissa Berquist and Veronique Martineau were scoreless. The Gee-Gees shot 24-55 (.436) from the floor, 5-14 (.357) from the arc and 11-19 (.579) from the line, while garnering 40 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 12 fouls, 9 assists, 19 turnovers, 1 block and 8 steals. Meaghan McGrath led Laurier with 15 points on 5-13 from the floor, 4-10 from the arc, 1-3 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists. Dee Channer scored 11 on 5-12 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 8 boards and 4 assists. Robin Roszell scored 10 on 3-9 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 3 steals. Sarah Zagorski scored 9 on 4-13 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 3 boards and 2 steals. Kerri Jilesen scored 8 on 4-7 from the floor, 8 boards and 2 steals. Rebecca Williams added 5 on 2-4 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc and 2 boards. Sarah Barnes scored 2 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists, while Laura Taylor, Natasha Barrington and Heather Sutherland were scoreless. Taylor nabbed 4 boards. The Golden Hawks shot 23-66 (.348) from the floor, 8-20 (.400) from the arc and 6-11 (.545) from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 10 assists, 16 turnovers and 10 steals, including 3 by Roszell.

       Following the season, Waterloo hires former all-Canadian Mano Watsa as head coach to replace Tom O’Brien. Watsa had spent the previous three seasons as assistant to men’s coach Tom Kieswetter. “As a player, Mano was one of the most intelligent, dynamic and hardworking individuals that I have ever coached”, said Kieswetter. “As an Assistant, Mano proved he had the leadership, understanding, and skills to become an outstanding coach in the OUA. As the new Warrior Women’s Head Coach, I’m extremely confident that with his energy, drive and talent, Mano will produce skilled, competitive players and highly successful teams”, Kieswetter added. Mano was a 2 time CIAU All-Canadian and a 4 time OUA All-Star during his playing career at Waterloo (1994-1999). He was a 2-time Academic All-Canadian and team captain from 1996-1999. Mano was a member of the 1998 OUA West Championship team and was the winner of the National Ken Shields TSN Award for combining excellence in athletics, academics and community involvement. He was also the 1999 University of Waterloo Athlete of the Year and Inductee into the University of Waterloo Athletics Hall of Fame. “We are very excited about the hiring of Mano”, commented Athletics Director Judy McCrae. “He brings to us the strengths that the Women’s Basketball Program is in need of. He is a technician and a motivator. He has a wealth of basketball experience. He is a proud Warrior and understands the qualities of the athletic experience here at the University of Waterloo. We are so fortunate to attract a person of Mano’s character”, continued McCrae. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to give back to the University of Waterloo in this capacity”, Mano commented on his appointment. “I am excited to come aboard with a tremendous team of players and the backing of a very supportive athletic department and university. Having been profoundly influenced by coaches throughout my life, I am excited about the potential of influencing these elite-level players in a similar fashion.”
       OUA East coach of the year Angie McLeod of Ottawa resigned her post after a three-year stint because she was tired of commuting to Nova Scotia to be with her partner, a Halifax physician. Her departure forced Gee-Gees athletic director Luc Gelineau to hunt for the sixth head coach of the women’s program since 1997. Gelineau had turfed Rob Anderson in January/2001 because the school was determined to put a woman at the helm, eventually settling on McLeod, who’d led Mount Saint Vincent University to one regular season and one postseason title, while twice being selected Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association coach of the year. Gelineau eventually settled on ex-Gee-Gee Carlos ‘Bobby’ Brown as head coach, surprising observers given that there was nation-wide pressure within Canadian Interuniversity Sport ranks to hire female coaches and the fact athletic director Luc Gelineau turfed Rob Anderson in January/2001 because the school was determined to put a woman at the women’s basketball helm. But sources say Brown “knocked the socks off” of the selection committee with his evident loyalty to the university, his knowledge of the local girl’s basketball scene, “his commitment and values, and the extent of his volunteer work. He was clearly the class of the field.” Brown refused to confirm the appointment but said: “in the hypothetical, I would be honored to represent my alma mater.” In replacing Angie McLeod, who resigned because she’d tired of commuting to Nova Scotia to be with her partner, Brown becomes the 20th male to now head one of the CIS’s 41 women’s basketball programs (with two vacancies). The Jamaican-born Brown is revered with alumni ranks for having led Ottawa to its only Ontario University Athletics postseason men’s title in 1993 while being selected MVP of the Wilson Cup. He played from 1990-95 before becoming a men’s assistant until 1999. Brown served as an assistant coach for Texas-Pan American women in NCAA ranks in 2000 and then returned to the men’s program for three seasons before assuming the helm of College De L’Outaouais last season. Although his rebuilding effort yielded only a 2-14 record, he was chosen the College’s coach of the year, while also being active in coaching club programs like the Goulbourn Hornets. Brown, who led Toronto Bathurst Heights to the 1988 provincial boy’s basketball crown, is renowned for his quick wit and humor, once quipping that “by living in Toronto, I learned to appreciate Ottawa.” Currently coordinator of the Academic, Personal, Teamwork and Employability (APTE) program for special needs children in the Western Quebec School Board, Brown has also done extensive volunteer work for the YMCA and other local charities.
       In July, Windsor athletic director Gordon Grace appoints Blake Handsor as interim head coach. “I am pleased to have a local guy like Blake, that possesses tremendous basketball knowledge and great communication skills on board for next year,” says Grace. Hanson spent the previous seven years coaching at Chatham John McGregor Secondary where he captured three provincial titles. He also coached the Riverside Falcons and Chatham-Kent Wildcat club teams. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Handsor said “I did my homework and all things point to our team being a success. I’m coming into a situation where the student-athletes are ready to work hard so we can take a step in the right direction.”

The co-bronze medalist Laurentian Voyageurs: Tierney Hoo; Cara Dodsley; Cassandra Carpenter; Carolyn Plummer; Brianne Henry; Erica Johnson; Christal Blanchard; Caitlin Blackadder; Kate Walker; Lindsay Malott; Symone Wilson; Ashley MacSporran; Christianne Bauck; coach Mike Clarke; assistant Jim Hann; assistant Jen Bourget

The co-bronze medalist Brock Badgers: Stacey Farr; Erin Allan; Jodie Ebeling; Tara Poulin; Cassie Tatham; Becky Gallant; Krysten Adams; Larkin Lamarche; Denise Navarro; Bridgette Roelands; Gillian Redpath; Fiona Tozer; Kaila Agius; coach Chris Critelli; assistant Karen Reinhardt; assistant Glenn Shaw; assistant Carolyn Johnson; assistant Jackie White; manager Catherine Okowinsky; trainer Karen Millar; assistant trainer Melissa O’Brien; assistant trainer Lesley Dobias

The runner-up Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks: Meaghan McGrath; Sarah Zagorski; Kerri Jilesen; Dee Channer; Robin Roszell; Rebecca Williams; Sarah Barnes; Emily Conrad; Laura Taylor; Natasha Barrington; Heather Sutherland; Alex Dzigda; Maia Skolko; coach Stu Julius; assistant Ann Weber; assistant Kevin Duffy; manager Cailin Miziolek

The champion Ottawa Gee-Gees: Moriah Trowell; Kristen Moyle; Natalie Johnston; Miranda Killam; Julie Rodrigue; Cara Weiss; Hilary Foster; Veronique Martineau; Caroline Alain; Leah Hubbard; Melany Bouchard; Moronike Laleye; Meghan Butler; Melissa Berquist; Moronike Lalelye; Katherine Lawlor; coach Angie McLeod; assistant Murray Shoup; assistant Patrice Bellerose; assistant Bill Wiseman; therapist Jocelyn Hanna; therapist Melanie Lanteigne; athletic director Luc Gelineau