Seneca enters the season as the favourite coming off consecutive OCAA titles, but the other 15 teams in women’s basketball will have something else to say as the season tips-off. The OCAA Championship is scheduled from February 28 – March 1 at Niagara College in Welland. The all-star game will take place at Durham College in Oshawa on March 29.

2006-07 SEASON IN REVIEW

East Region
Seneca 16 - 0
Algonquin 13 - 3
St. Lawrence K 11 - 5
Humber 9 - 7
Durham 8 - 8
Loyalist 6 - 10
George Brown 5 - 11
Georgian 4 - 12
Fleming P 0 – 16

West Region
Algoma 9 - 3
Sheridan 9 - 3
Fanshawe 8 - 4
St. Clair 7 - 5
Niagara 6 - 6
Mohawk 3 - 9
Redeemer 0 – 12

POST SEASON RESULTS:

Qualifying Round
Mohawk 41 @ St. Lawrence 74
Niagara 51 @ Humber 63
Durham 44 @ St. Clair 63
Loyalist 39 @ Fanshawe 55

OCAA CHAMPIONSHIP @ Algonquin College

Quarter-Finals
St. Clair 64 @ Seneca 72
St. Lawrence 80 @ Sheridan 68
Humber 47 @ Algoma 50
Fanshawe 45 @ Algonquin 61

Semi-Finals
St. Lawrence 53 @ Seneca 80
Algonquin 66 @ Algoma 69

Medal Round
Gold: Seneca 75 @ Algoma 56
Bronze: Algonquin 60 @ St. Lawrence 59

TEAM PREVIEWS

EAST REGION

Algonquin Thunder
2006-07 Record: 13-3 (2)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 2-1 (Bronze)

Algonquin are returning from a solid season a year ago, after narrowly capturing a bronze medal against St. Lawrence in Kingston. Head coach Brian White is entering his fifth season and employs a highly defensive game. The Thunder are certainly a veteran team this year, with seven players returning from last year and have only added four rookies, including guard/post Sam Wood.

They have lost 2006-07 leading scorer Sara Maybee to Loyalist College and will need to have a large team contribution making up for the 12 points per game that she averaged, most of them from 3-point land. Their second-leading scorer (9.33 PPG), Jenny Allen is a key point guard in their offense. Overall, they aim to continue their winning trend and be a top team in Ontario

Durham Lords
2006-07 Record: 8-8 (5)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

The Durham Lords would like to improve on their 8-8 record from last season and are certainly shooting for a ticket to land in the playoffs, but are in the midst of a rebuilding stage. The lady Lords lose two of their top scorers from last year, Samantha McConnell (20 PPG, 3rd in OCAA) and Carly McGhie (9.33 PPG).

They have a brand new head coach, Tim Baulk, who has an impressive resume as former assistant basketball coach for both York and McMaster of the OUA. His team of five returnees and five rookies will need plenty of offense for them to be a Cinderella story this season. Their starters earned plenty of experience in the pre-season, as six players competed in five of the games.

Source: Durham Lords Sport Information

Fleming Knights
2006-07 Record: 0-16
2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Fleming Knights have winning on their minds. It unfortunately hasn’t happened too often going 0-16 last season and playing in a tough Eastern Region, as the Knights will have their work cut out for themselves. With five healthy starters, head coach Shawn Whitney will look to its’ his three returning veterans in Angelika Brezwan, Millicent Appia and Jess Barrieau to change the trent. Former leading scorer Nikki Heseltine has departed, so it will be up to a new rookie class to step up and fill in for her minutes. Rookie Amanda Richards has stepped in nicely and provided 21 points in two games so far against Durham and Loyalist, while Nicole Nievwenhuyzen has added 14.

George Brown Huskies
2006-07 Record: 5-11 (7)
2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Huskies may be in the midst of a rebuilding season after losing all but three players after the 2006-07 season ended. Remaining is Brittney Griffin, Jessica Boyd and Kassandra Den Broeder. Niveal Pastrana and Josephine Agudo, who were the leading scorers last season are gone, and it will be up to several rookies, including Mexican recruit Gisela Perez to carry the load. Coach Sharon Butler has also lost height in the lineup, as Den Broeder and rookie Keisha Alexander are the only two players above 5-foot-9.

Georgian Grizzlies
2006-07 Record: 4-12 (8)
2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Grizzlies welcome a new head coach, Marnie Buchanan, who takes the reigns after being an assistant to Robin Lawrence for three years. They eye a return to the post-season, after missing out in 2006-07. Leading scorer and OCAA all-star Chieko Moyirama has departed, as well as Beth Hedges, but rookies Summer Bly, Heather Stokes and Samantha Wiltshire are up to the task of putting up offense.

Andrea Little is back and is very capable of putting up points off the bench. Georgian will look to Dawn Marley and Sarah Williams to increase the offensive output. Georgian managed a 61-31 win over Durham College in their lone victory in pre-season.

Loyalist Lancers
2006-07 Record: 6-10 (6)
2006-07 Post Season 0-1

It’s a season of change and high expectations and there will be plenty of new faces in the lineup with the team is aiming to exceed numbers they put up last year.

The Loyalist lineup will feature a core of returning players, plus some new recruits, making the Lancers a solid contender in the East Region. Kara Muhlhausen, Larissa Dykstra, and Amy Rose will give the Lancers the veteran leadership they’ll need to succeed. Meanwhile the scoring touches of newly added Sara Maybee and Erin Rose, give Loyalist some versatility from the field.

Alex Dykhuizen, Stephanie Houle and Terra Moon will need big seasons from the bench and play a real supporting role in this teams success. Meanwhile, Brittany Denneny, another new face for the Lady Lancers, will be the second half of the Lancer’s one-two punch below the rim.

As a team the Lady Lancers will need to play better at home. The Lancerdome can be a very intimidating place to play as a visiting team, since it’s so quaint the crowd can make a huge impact.

Overall, look for this team to make a big impact, making them possibly the most improved in the East Region. They’ve got all the assets they need to be a real contender this season, however, consistency will be the key.

Source: David Foot, Loyalist Lancer Beat Reporter

St. Lawrence Vikings
2006-07 Record: 11-5 (3)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 2-2 (Fourth)

Head coach Andrea Blackwell led the Vikings, who were 7-9 in 2005-06, to an impressive record in her first season leading the team, and the outlook is to continue building a successful basketball program. They have nine returning players from last year, including veteran Britt Pegg, who finished 6th in league scoring last year with 241 points.

With so many players returning, the Vikings could find themselves near the top of the East Region standings once again, thanks to their up-tempo transitional style of play. Two key rookies for them could be forward Danielle Greek and guard/forward Cory Ridgely.

The Kingston campus school just barely missed out on a bronze medal this past winter, losing 60-59 to Algonquin, but did get some revenge, as the Vikings beat them in Belleville at the 7th Annual Fall Classic. Christine Sharrow was named an all-star in the October 19-20 tournament.

Seneca Sting
2006-07 Record: 16-0
2006-07 Post Season Record: 3-0 (Gold)

Sting head coach Marcy Skribe is entering her third year as their leader, and has already won two OCAA Coach of the Year awards, as well as two championship titles. You could say that Seneca has a dynasty on their hands. After all they are 31-1 in their past two regular seasons. However, they have lost their three leading scorers from last year, Heather Elchuk, Charlene Siopis and Natasha Thombs, who is now an assistant coach.

Returning veterans such as Alana Vicks and Kate Weiss will be relied upon for offense, as well as several other experienced players. The Sting may not have another perfect season, but they will be another legitimate playoff contender in the East division.

WEST REGION

Algoma Thunderbirds
2006-07 Record: 9-3 (1)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 2-1 (Silver)

The Algoma Thunderbirds return from an impressive season, after coming up short against Seneca in the gold medal game last year. Notably, the team rose to first place in the West, a season after finishing last in 2005-06 at 1-11. Head coach Ed Green would like to see the same success as last year and make Algoma a constant constant contender in OCAA Women’s Basketball.

The team will look to rebound after losing last year’s leading scorer Danielle D’Ettorre and her 26 points per game, which was the highest in the OCAA. Five rookies join the squad and five silver medalists remain from 2006-07, including Lara Stilin, the team’s top athlete.

Fanshawe Falcons
2006-07 Record: 8-4 (3)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 1-1

Things are looking up for Fanshawe, who held George Brown to just 29 points in exhibition play. In 2007-08, four Falcons return from last season, including 6-foot-2 centre Taylor Knipe, who averaged 16 points per game. Joining her are teammates Jessica Finlay, Chelsea Brown and Brooke Symons.

Nine rookies make their debut for Kevin Gordon’s team, who take aim at another playoff berth. Kaitlind Dutrizac, a 1st year guard from London has looked sharp, putting up 11 baskets in the team’s first two games, which were wins over the Niagara Knights and Sheridan Bruins. Last year they were beaten in the quarter finals by Algonquin, who went on to win the bronze medal.

Mohawk Mountaineers
2006-07 Record: 3-9
2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

Mohawk employs a healthy mixture of rookies and experienced veterans this season and are ready to explore new dimensions to their game that they haven’t possessed in years past. Fifth-year head coach Kelly Dunham is looking to use an up-tempo offense and have teammates play each other’s strengths.

Five players return from last year, including third year guard Lisa Marie Lavarone, who led Mountaineers in points per game with 9.33, despite only playing in six games. Leading scorer Melissa Zwolek returns to the lineup as well. Key rookies to look out for will be forwards Jacqueline Shelly and Jen Barkans, as well as guard Stacy Bourque.

Niagara Knights
2006-07 Record: 6-6
2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

The Knights are focused and poised and to improve on a .500 season under returning head coach Ron Lemon and also avenge their 63-51 opening playoff round loss to Humber last year. Returnees include leading scorer and first team all-star Kaitlyn McKenna (13.33 PPG) and first-team all-star guard Jessica James.

Five rookies join the squad, as they hope to emerge as West Division champions and make the provincial final in 2007-08. They appear strong in the pre-season, making their way to the championship game at the Georgian Fall Classic tournament, and defeating Durham by 25 on the 23rd of October.

Humber Hawks
2006-07 Record: 9-7 (4*) *East Region
2006-07 Post Season Record: 1-1

Humber enters the 2007-08 season with a solid record from the year before, but the team has 10 fresh faces joining the team. It will be up to Denise Perrier as coach to mould the team into one capable of winning 10 or more games. Veterans Meghan McPeak, Roxanne Plummer and Monique Faulkner, who combined to score 179 points a year ago, are the only returning players to the Hawks lineup.

The Hawks were 2-1 in exhibition, beating Georgian and George Brown thoroughly, but lost to Durham by only two points. Their defense appears strong, holding the three teams to only 117 points in those affairs. The Hawks opened up their regular season with a tough 2-point loss in Sault Ste. Marie. The Hawks also made the switch to the West Region after realignment.

Redeemer Royals
2006-07 Record: 0-12
2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Royals find themselves looking nowhere but upwards, going into the season. They hope to squeeze into the playoffs and upset some high-ranked teams. Head coach Denita Dyck is optimistic Redeemer can compete with the Western colleges. They defeated George Brown and University of Toronto (Mississauga campus) in the Georgian Fall Classic last month. Key returning players are forwards Natalie Dumoulin and Aileen Hovingh. Notable rookies for the Ancaster school are guards Hannah Roukema and Katie Roth.

St. Clair Saints
2006-07 Record: 7-5
2006-07 Post Season Record: 1-1

The Saints only have three members of their 2006-07 basketball team returning for another year, but they are veterans capable to putting up big points. Brianne St. Clair, Ashley Huston and Sophina Phillips will lead the way and get them back to the post-season. The Windsor college had a solid season under head coach Jimmy Parsons, but was eliminated by the undefeated Seneca Sting in the quarter-finals last year. Gone is their highest scorer, Kati Hamilton and her 126 point campaign, so there will need to be sufficient offense from the rookies joining the squad. St. Clair won their only pre-season affair 57-39 against a school from Rochester, Michigan.

Sheridan Bruins
2006-07 Record: 9-3 (2)
2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

In only their third year since returning to a varsity level, the Sheridan Bruins have already established themselves as one of the strongest programs in the OCAA. The team made significant strides in 2006-07 by making it to the OCAA championship and will hope to build upon that success this year.

They have a vast array of weapons offensively and will look to play the type of strong defense that has become a staple of Sheridan basketball. Returning forward Caity Wright will be counted on for leadership, and newcomers Sarah Moxley, Hali
Burns and Bojana Bejatovic will make key contributions as well.

Source: Ryan Kelly, Sheridan Athletics