McMaster guard Sarah Gates was named recipient of the Nan Copp Award as national player of the year. The 5-10 guard and fifth-year human behaviour major from Newmarket, Ont. (Newmarket HS), was the OUA player of the year and a first-team conference all-star. She led the league and the country in scoring and three-pointers per game. She started all 22 games in regular season conference play, for an average 30.0 mpg. She hit 210-435 (.483) from the floor, 63-163 (.387) from the arc and 117-168 (.696) from the line, while garnering 171 boards, including 42 on the offensive glass and a 7.8 rpg, 57 fouls, 43 assists, 48 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.9), 5 blocks, 30 steals and 600 points, for a 27.3 ppg. The other Copp nominees were Canada West player of the year Carly Ahlstrom (Saskatchewan); RSEQ player of the year Amaiquen Siciliano (Bishop’s); and AUS player of the year Haley McDonald (Acadia).
Carleton post Jacqueline Urban was named recipient of the Kathy Shields Award as national rookie of the year. A 5-11 forward and psychology major from Ancaster, Ont. (Lincoln Prep) was the OUA rookie of the year. She finished 2nd in the conference in rebounding. Ravens coach Dani Sinclair said “for a freshman, there were countless times this year where she just understood when we needed a momentum shift and just willed our team to win.” She started 21 of 22 regular season conference games, playing an average 27.0 mpg. She hit 81-204 (.397) from the floor, 14-50 (.280) from the arc and 43-66 (.652) from the line, while garnering 238 boards, including 72 on the offensive glass and a 10.8 rpg, 47 fouls (fouling out once) 17 assists, 43 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ration of 0.4), 14 blocks, 30 steals and 219 points, for a 10.0 ppg. The other Shields nominees were Canada West rookie of the year Logan Reider (Saskatchewan); AUS rookie of the year Bianca Helmig (Acadia); and RSEQ rookie of the year Daniella Mbengo (McGill).
Alberta post Claire Signatovich was named the national defensive player of the year. A 6-1 forward and third-year engineering major from Winnipeg, Man. (Oak Park HS), was the Canada West defensive player of the year and a second-team conference all-star. She led the conference in rebounds and blocks per game. Pandas coach Scott Edwards said “Claire is an anchor of our team defence. Her ability to track rebounds, alter shots, and guard multiple positions make her a force on the defensive end of the floor. She is one of the most gifted defenders we have ever coached. The combination of her athletic attributes, leadership, and competitiveness have been keys to our teams’ success this season.” She started all 20 regular season conference games, playing an average 28.6 mpg. She hit 120-236 (.508) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 37-75 (.493) from the line, while garnering 252 boards, including 94 on the offensive glass and a 12.6 rpg, 48 fouls, 27 assists, 59 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.5), 38 blocks, 32 steals and 277 points, for a 13.8 ppg. The other national nominees were OUA defensive player of the year Ariane Saumure (Western); RSEQ defensive player of the year Deborah Aboagye (Bishop’s); and AUS defensive player of the year Clara Gascoigne (Saint Mary’s)
Regina coach Dave Taylor was named recipient of the Peter Ennis Award as national coach of the year. In his 17th-year at the helm, Taylor was the Canada West coach of the year after leading the Cougars to a 27-5 overall record and a 17-3 record (tied 1st) in regular season play. A former Ennis winner (2012), Taylor is the winningest coach in U of R program history, amassing a 252-78 Canada West record, including 59-30 in the playoffs. Regina director of sport, community engagement and athlete development Lisa Robertson said “year after year, Dave produces winning seasons and has consistently kept the Cougars at the top of Canada West and in contention for trips to the U SPORTS Championships. He is a master of his craft and I am so very proud to have him leading these young women.” The other nominees were OUA coach of the year Claire Meadows (Queen’s) RSEQ coach of the year Dianna Ros (Bishop’s); and AUS coach of the year Matt Gamblin (Prince Edward Island).
Joining Gates on the All-Canadian first team were: Carly Ahlstrom (Saskatchewan); Kyanna Giles (Winnipeg); Haley McDonald (Acadia); and Amaiquen Siciliano (Bishop’s). …………………………………………………… Ahlstrom, a 6-0 guard and fourth-year guard kinesiology major from Calgary, Alta. (Centennial HS), was the Canada West player of the year and a first-team conference all-star. She finished second in the conference in scoring. Huskies coach Lisa Thomaidis said “Carly quite simply had one of the most impressive regular season campaigns in Huskie history. Known for her 3pt range and athleticism attacking the rim, Carly has worked very hard on her game to become a three-level scorer and threat from anywhere on the floor. She is a fierce competitor who is humble and quick to divert the spotlight. Carly is a four-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and is a member of the Huskie Athletic Council Executive.” She started all 20 regular season conference games, playing an average 31.2 mpg. She hit 137-287 (.477) from the floor, 43-114 (.377) from the arc and 91-122 (.746) from the line, while garnering 160 boards, including 42 on the offensive glass and an 8.0 rpg, 53 fouls (fouling out once), 37 assists, 60 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.6), 11 blocks, 45 steals and 408 points, for a 20.4 ppg. …………………………………………………… Giles, a 5-7 guard and fifth-year graduate student in education from Winnipeg, Man. (Sisler HS), was a first-team conference all-star. She toiled three years at Regina and earned all-Canadian laurels before transferring to Winnipeg. She started all 17 regular season conference games she played, for an average 32.8 mpg. She hit 122-293 (.416) from the floor, 19-80 (.238) from the arc and 106-143 (.741) from the line, while garnering 147 boards, including 46 on the offensive glass and an 8.6 rpg, 48 fouls, 92 assists, 57 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.6), 5 blocks, 44 steals and 369 points, for a 21.7 ppg. …………………………………………………… McDonald, a 5-5 guard and fifth-year science major from Port Williams, N.S. (Horton HS), was the AUS player of the year and a first-team conference all-star. She led the conference in scoring and topped uSports in free throw percentage, while becoming the Axewomen’s all-time scoring leader (1,846). McDonald started all 19 regular season conference games, playing an average 30.6 mpg. She hit 140-332 (.422) from the floor, 53-133 (.398) from the arc and 94-106 (.887) from the line, while garnering 90 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass and a 4.7 rpg, 50 fouls (fouling out twice), 88 assists, 57 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5), 2 blocks, 31 steals and 427 points, for a 22.5 ppg. …………………………………………………… Siciliano, a 5-4 guard and third-year business major from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the RSEQ player of the year and a first-team all-star. She started all 16 regular season conference games, playing an average 34.3 mpg. She hit 126-307 (.410) from the floor, 39-108 (.361) from the arc and 69-87 (.793) from the line, while garnering 58 boards, including 5 on the offensive glass and a 3.6 rpg, 33 fouls, 67 assists, 59 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.1), 3 blocks, 24 steals and 360 points, for a 22.5 ppg.
The All-Canadian second team were: Jade Belmore (Regina); Julia Chadwick (Queen’s); Brigitte Lefebvre-Okankwu (Ottawa); Kiyara Letlow (Cape Breton); and Kali Pocrnic (Carleton). …………………………………………………… Belmore, a 5-10 guard and second-year kinesiology and health studies major from Regina, Sask. (Dr. Martin Leboldus HS), was a first-team conference all-star. She started all 20 regular season conference games, playing an average 31.9 mpg. She hit 139-300 (.463) from the floor, 28-73 (.384) from the arc and 78-98 (.796) from the line, while garnering 199 boards, including 37 on the offensive glass and a 9.9 rpg, 56 fouls (fouling out once), 94 assists, 60 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.6), 19 blocks, 38 steals and 384 points, for a 19.2 ppg. …………………………………………………… Chadwick, a 6-1 forward and fifth-year arts & sciences major from Ottawa, Ont. (Durham Elite), was a first-team OUA all-star. She spent a year at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania before transferring to Queen’s. Chadwick started all 22 regular season conference games, playing an average 27.9 mpg. She hit 142-316 (.449) from the floor, 10-47 (.213) from the arc and 67-97 (.691) from the line, while garnering 264 boards, including 66 on the offensive glass and a 12.0 rpg, 44 fouls, 47 assists, 43 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.1), 29 blocks, 44 steals and 361 points, for a 16.4 ppg. …………………………………………………… Lefebvre-Okankwu, a 6-1 forward and science management master’s candidate from Gatineau, Que. (Collège Nouvelles-Frontières), was a first-team OUA all-star. She was also the recipient of the OUA’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award and a five-time academic All-Canadian. Lefebvre-Okankwu started all 16 regular season conference games she played, for an average 25.1 mpg. She hit 103-179 (.575) from the floor, 6-18 from the arc and 46-64 (.719) from the line, while garnering 129 boards, including 51 on the offensive glass and an 8.1 rpg, 15 fouls, 27 assists, 24 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.1), 6 blocks, 35 steals and 258 points, for a 16.1 ppg. …………………………………………………… Letlow, a 6-1 forward and 2nd-year arts major from Toronto, Ont. (Father John Redmond) was a first-team AUS all-star. She started all 20 regular season conference games, playing an average 33.3 mpg. She hit 146-278 (.525) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 120-160 (.750) from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 116 on the offensive glass and a 16.6 rpg, 45 fouls, 20 assists, 62 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.3), 21 blocks, 22 steals and 412 points, for a 20.6 ppg. …………………………………………………… Pocrnic, a 5-3 guard and third-year psychology major from Oakville, Ont. (Lincoln Prep), was a first-team OUA all-star. She started all 22 regular season conference games, playing an average 31.7 mpg. She hit 123-341 (.317) from the floor, 39-112 (.348) from the arc and 74-84 (.881) from the line, while garnering 71 boards, including 17 on the offensive glass and a 3.2 rpg, 27 fouls, 65 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.4), 31 steals and 359 points, for a 16.3 ppg.
Joining Urban on the all-Canadian Rookie team were: Emily Capretta (Western); Bianca Helmig (Acadia); Logan Reider (Saskatchewan); and Louise Rouse (Calgary). ………………………………………………… Capretta, a 5-8 forward and liberal arts major from Hamilton, Ont. (St. Thomas More Secondary), was an OUA all-rookie selection. Capretta started all 22 regular season conference games, playing an average 28.4 mpg. She hit 84-256 (.328) from the floor, 44-141 (.312) from the arc and 33-37 (.892) from the line, while garnering 97 boards, including 23 on the offensive glass and a 4.4 rpg, 44 fouls, 26 assists, 52 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.5), 16 blocks, 13 steals and 245 points, for an 11.1 ppg. …………………………………………………… Helmig, a 5-6 guard and business administration major from Speyer, Germany (Elgner Angels Nordlingen HS), was the AUS rookie of the year. She started all 19 regular season conference games, playing an average 26.8 mpg. She hit 57-151 (.377) from the floor, 17-55 (.309) from the arc and 29-30 (.967) from the line, while garnering 42 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass and a 2.2 rpg, 44 fouls, 60 assists, 50 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.2), 1 block, 28 steals and 160 points, for an 8.4 ppg. …………………………………………………… Reider, a 5-10 guard and education major from Saskatoon, Sask. (St. Joseph HS), was the Canada West rookie of the year. Huskies coach Lisa Thomaidis said “Logan had a remarkable first season as a Huskie. She averaged over 11 pts per game and set the Huskie single season 3pt shooting record for a first-year player. Her poise, work ethic and competitive fire had a huge impact on a team that finished atop the Canada West regular season standings.” She started all 20 regular season conference games, playing an average 29.4 mpg. She hit 74-218 (.339) from the floor, 41-123 (.333) from the arc and 33-37 (.892) from the line, while garnering 87 boards, including 34 on the offensive glass and a 4.3 rpg, 27 fouls, 30 assists, 38 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.8), 3 blocks, 30 steals and 222 points, for an 11.1 ppg. …………………………………………………… Rouse, a 6-2 forward and kinesiology major from Hertfordshire, UK (Leicester Riders), was a Canada West all-rookie selection. She started all 16 regular season conference games she played, for an average 22.6 mpg She hit 72-145 (.497) from the floor, 2-8 from the arc and 52-64 (.813) from the line, while garnering 98 boards, including 49 on the offensive glass and a 6.1 rpg, 27 fouls (fouling out once), 15 assists, 35 turnovers (an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.4), 17 blocks, 7 steals and 198 points, for a 12.4 ppg.