Canada West women's basketball preview: Cougars look strong to start the season

Source: Canada West Communications

EDMONTON – The 2011-12 Canada West basketball campaign begins on Friday night.
 
As Canada West returns to a two-division system with 14 competing schools, many teams continue to grow and build from within, while others see key transfer students arrive and some try to overcome the loss of key graduates.
 
Here is a look at each team entering the new season...
 
ALBERTA PANDAS
 2010-11 conference record: 17-7 (5th)
 2011 playoffs: 3-2
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: 1999
 
CIS ranking: #8
 CW ranking: #4
 
Key additions: Megan Van de Kraats (F), Andria Carlyon (F), Kelly Lyons (F)
 
Key returnees: Anneka Bakker (F), Nicole Clarke (G), Katie Arbuthnot (G), Sally Hillier (G), Saskia Van Ginhoven (F)
 
Key departures: Marisa Haylett (G), Alysia Rissling (F), Georgia Popovici (F)
 
EDMONTON – After the injury-riddled 2010-11, the Alberta Pandas are ready to hit the floor and make a push for conference playoffs, and a berth to the ‘Bronze Baby’ tournament.
 
Last season the Pandas were without the services of starting players Nicole Clarke (G), Caitlin Stiksma (F), to start the season, as well as Megan Wickstrom (G), and lost Jamie Norum (G), Saskia Van Ginhoven (F), Katie Arbuthnot (G) and Marisa Haylett (G) for stretches of the regular season.
 
But, that experienced galvanized the team through the Canada West playoffs and onto the CIS regional tournament where their season ended. Now, with a healthier line-up, and that experience in the back pocket, the Pandas are poised to be among one of the top teams in Canada West.
 
Clarke, sophomore Sally Hillier (G) and Katie Arbutnot (G) will guide the back-court, along with Wickstrom and fifth-year Concordia transfer Jill Verhsen, while fourth-year forward Anneka Bakker leads the group inside the paint and under the glass. Megan Van de Kraats returns to the U of A after one season of college ball. Andria Carlyon and Kelly Lyons, at 6’3” and 6’0” respectively, will aid Alberta’s tall game as well.
 
http://www.pandas.ualberta.ca/
 
BRANDON BOBCATS
 2010-11 conference record: 0-24 (13th, missed playoffs)
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #14
 
Key additions: Kaela Cranston, Stephanie Haynes, Aimee Johnston, Raisa Rybinski
 
Key returnees: Jayla Bousquet, Madison Bradbury, Chantel Gaslard, Jaynell Gillett, Alanna Johnston
 
Key departures: Sarah Lopes, Nicisha Johnson, Amanda Fortin
 
BRANDON –The Brandon Bobcats will be a relatively new-look squad, both on the court and on the sideline.
 
For head coach Ritchie Jacobson, leading the charge will be fifth-year team captain Jayla Bousquet after spending the 2010-11 as a medical red-shirt. Bousquet will be relied upon to lead the team as the only fifth-year on the roster.
 
Other returning players include Madison Bradbury, Alanna Johnston, Jaynell Gillett and Chantel Gaslard. Bradbury is coming off a very successful rookie season for the Bobcats in which she finished third in scoring, while averaging over 27 minutes per game. Gillett and Gaslard are both third-year forwards that steadily improved on their post play last season and will shoulder a lot of the load in the paint this year.
 
Jacobson’s recruiting class includes a former Brandon Bobcat, one international player, a college transfer, and four high school recruits. Kalee Kartzmark’s last CIS competition was as a member of the Brandon Bobcats women’s volleyball team. Raisa Rybinski, a guard/forward from Kinistino, Sask., has transferred to BU from Lakeland College. Aimee Johnston, a graduate of Brandon’s Vincent Massey High School, is joining her sister Alanna on the Bobcats.
 
http://www.gobobcats.ca/
 
UBC THUNDERBIRDS
 2010-11 conference record: 17-7 (5th)
 2011 playoffs: 0-2
 Last CW title: 2008
 Last CIS title: 2008
 
CIS ranking: #5
 CW ranking: #3
 
Key additions: Kristen Hughes, Cassandra Knievel, Stephanie Bell, Adrienne Parkin
 
Key returnees: Zara Huntley, Kris Young, Alex Vieweg, Chloee St. Amour
 
Key departures: Devan Lisson,Virginia Watson, Lia St. Pierre
 
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds are once again expected to contend for the Canada West conference championship with a solid core of veteran players, joined by exciting new additions.
 
Zara Huntley and Alex Vieweg, both fifth-year front court players, lead the group of nine who return from last year’s squad. They finished 1-2 in team scoring last season, with Huntley averaging 13 points a game, and Vieweg 12.5. The pair also led UBC in rebounds, with Vieweg grabbing three more (161-158) than Huntley in regular season play in2010-11.
 
Second-year player, Kris Young is looking to build on a solid rookie campaign where she started 15 games. Transfer Kristen Hughes will see the court after sitting out a season. She will replace the graduated Devan Lisson at point guard, while Cassandra Knievel, Stephanie Bell and Adrienne Parkinjoin UBC as new recruits who starred in BC high school basketball.
 
http://www.gothunderbirds.ca/
 
UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (inaugural CIS season)
 2010-11 conference record: N/A
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #13
 
Key additions: Krystal Schouten, Angela White, Emily Kanester, Whitney Hamilton, Tia Sadler
 
Key returnees: Roz Huber, Madison Kaneda, Ashley Briker
 
Key departure: Jenna Kantz
 
KELOWNA, BC – The team that veteran bench boss Heather Semeniuk will be bringing together for the Heat’s first go at Canada West league play will return a trio of veteran players who have won a provincial championship together and lost one at the buzzer.
 
Roz Huber is a six-foot athletic post in her fourth year that can defend, rebound and face up and knock down the mid-range jumper. The other two veterans are both guards, Ashley Briker is a speedy point guard that can penetrate and pass, while Madison Kaneda is a slashing two guard who has three point range.
 
Arriving is college transfer Krystal Schouten from Quest University, a true post with the ability to get rebounding position and a solid array of back to the basket moves. Audrey Siebert-Timmer a 6’2 post has returned from injury in time to add post depth on the season for the Heat. Kiersten Shulhan is a veteran post player that will use her strength to keep opponents out of the paint.
 
Angela White is a stronger perimeter defender that is transferring in from Langara College.
 
A pleasant surprise in the preseason so far has been the play of freshman Emily Kanester, a 5’6” guard who has been finding ways to score for the Heat so far this season, helping to negate the loss of All-Canadian senior Jenna Kantz.
 
http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/athletics/welcome.html
 
CALGARY DINOS
 2010-11 conference record: 10-14 (8th)
 2011 playoffs: 0-2
 Last CW title: 2001
 Last CIS title: 1989
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #6
 
Key additions: Jenna Kaye, Jessica Franz, Ashley Hirons
 
Key returnees: Megan Lang, Tamara Jarrett
 
Key departure: Ashley Hill
 
CALGARY – With an entire season to prepare for three home games in mid-March, the new-look University of Calgary Dinos enter the 2011-12 season as a largely unknown commodity in Canada West.
 
Hosts of the 2012 CIS Women’s Basketball Final 8 from March 17-19 in the Jack Simpson Gym, the Dinos are guaranteed an appearance at the national tournament, and 18-year head coach Shawnee Harle has added a solid crop of recruits that should make the Dinos competitive come playoff time.
 
Leading the way are former All-Canadian Jenna Kaye and last year’s BC college player of the year Jessica Franz. Kaye, a law student who transferred to Calgary after stints with UPEI and Dalhousie, was a second-team All-Canadian in 2008 and a two-time AUS all-star, while Franz averaged better than 23 points per game with Capilano University last season. They’re joined by Aussie Ashley Hirons, a Melbourne native who is a solid outside shooter and an outstanding student.
 
That threesome joins a veteran group of returnees including fifth-year guard Megan Lang, forward Alex Cole, and guard Tamara Jarrett. The squad lost the services of Ashley Hill, the school’s third all-time leading scorer, to graduation.
 
http://www.godinos.com/
 
FRASER VALLEY CASCADES
 2010-11 conference record: 12-12 (7th)
 2011 playoffs: 2-2
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: #9
 CW ranking: #5
 
Key additions: Kayli Santori, Jaslyen Singh
 
Key returnees: Sarah Wierks, Nicole Wierks, Aieshia Luyken, Tessa Klassen
 
Key departure: Alyssa Gaukel
 
ABBOTSFORD, BC – As Coach Al Tuchscherer enters his tenth season at the helm of the UFV Cascades, the team is poised to compete for the Pacific Division title within Canada West.
 
Led by a very talented core of veterans Aieisha Luyken Nicole Wierks and Tessa Klassen the Cascades are deep and have played together for a least one CIS year. Add second-year forward Sarah Wierks, who was named to the CIS All-Rookie team to the mix and UFV is going to give visitors to the Envision Athletic Centre a major challenge all winter.
 
Coach Tuchscherer is also pleased to introduce first year players Kayli Santori and Jaslyen Singh to the team. They will make a difference in their first year at UFV playing in Canada West.
 
http://www.ufv.ca/athletics
 
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS
 2010-11 conference record: 4-20 (11th, missed playoffs)
 Last CW title: 1993
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #11
 
Key additions: Deanna Dotts (P), Natalie Nichols (G), Ali Cameron (G), Katlyn Olsen (G)
 
Key returnees: Lauren Taal (G), Kim Veldman (P), Morgan Cross (F)
 
Key departures: Becky Heninger (G), Kenzie Sheen-Balderson (P), Hannah Blanchette (F)
 
LETHBRIDGE, AB – With only five players returning from the 2010-11 roster, this year’s version of the Lethbridge Pronghorns will have a distinctly new look and will strive to return to the post-season mix.
 
Senior guard Lauren Taal returns for her final season after missing the second half of last season due to injury. In 13 games last season, Taal averaged just over 10 points per game but will need to return to her form from two seasons ago where she finished among the top 10 scorers in the conference.
 
Two other returning veterans are two six-foot players Stephanie Inman and Morgan Cross, entering their fourth year. Both have developed their games to be a threat inside and outside. They will both be looked to for rebounding, inside finishes and perimeter shooting. Six-foot-two post Kim Veldman returns for her second season and has a great inside game.
 
The ’Horns have added a group of college transfers in the additions of Natalie Nichols, Deanna Dotts, Katlyn Olsen, Ali Cameron and Jami Wiebe. All of them bring something different to the team. Ali Cameron and Jami Wiebe will be playing the wing position and be looked upon for their shooting touch and ability to find a path to the rim.
 
http://www.gohorns.ca/
 
MANITOBA BISONS
 2010-11 conference record: 8-16 (10th, missed playoffs)
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: 1997
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #12
 
Key additions: Christiane Fischer, Melanie Edel
 
Key returnees: Mubo Ilelaboye, Lauren Mortier, Allison Balasko, Vanessa de Vries
 
Key departure: Kayla Klassen
 
WINNIPEG – After battling hard and just missing qualifying for the second consecutive season for the playoffs, the Manitoba Bisons set their sight to return to the post-season this season in the ultra-competitive conference standings.
 
Again this season, the Bisons will have a very young group with two rookies among the 12-student roster, two fifth-year seniors and one fourth-year in the lineup. The team will also have a solid mix of veteran presence coupled with the youth.
 
Manitoba style of play will stress emphasis on the transition game and an up-tempo approach that highlights their strong work ethic on both ends of the court. The squad will absorb the loss of last season’s team top scorer Kayla Klassen (13.0 points per game) by relying on two seniors, forward Mubo Ilelaboye (11.3 ppg, 5.7 rebounds per game) and guard Lauren Mortier (7.3 ppg). In addition, the Bisons have returning players that are expected to increase their role this season in third-year forward Vanessa De Vries (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and second-year forward Allison Balasko (6.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
 
Along with a core group of veterans, there are a couple of newcomers ready to make an impact this season. Guard Christiane Fischer is a 5’6” point guard, originally from Germany and who played the last two seasons at Northeast Community College in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) by averaging 6.5 ppg, 4.6 assists per game last season. Forward Melanie Edel is a 5’11” power forward out of high school.
 
http://www.gobisons.ca/
 
REGINA COUGARS
 2010-11 conference record: 19-5 (3rd)
 2011 playoffs: 4-2
 Last CW title: 2004
 Last CIS title: 2001
 
CIS ranking: #1
 CW ranking: #1
 
Key addition: G Michelle Clark
 
Key returnees: F Lindsay Ledingham, P Brittany Read, G Joanna Zalesiak
 
Key departures: F Gabrielle Gheyssen, F Anne Mercer
 
REGINA – After rolling through the non-conference schedule with an impressive 10-1 record, carries high expectations as the Cougars prepare to open up the Canada West slate.
 
After missing the entire 2010-11 season to a knee injury, former first team All-Star Brittany Read is quickly getting back into game shape for the Cougars. The fourth-year post led all Regina players in rebounding despite only averaging less than 18 minutes per game through the non-conference schedule.
 
The team’s major addition is guard Michelle Clark, who transferred from Purdue University to the U of R to pursue a Master’s degree. Clark has been spectacular since joining the Cougars and has already broken the 30-point barrier.
 
Sixth-year head coach Dave Taylor also expects to get major contributions from fifth-year guard Carly Graham, who set the school single-season three-pointers record last season and continues to be a threat from the perimeter. Third-year post Megan Chamberlin has averaged over 20 minutes per game this season, while rookies Alyssia Kajati and Madi Docherty have also seen regular time in the rotation.
 
http://www.reginacougars.com/
 
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
 2010-11 conference record: 22-2 (1st)
 2011 playoffs: 6-1 (CW gold, CIS silver))
 Last CW title: 2011
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: #4
 CW ranking: #2
 
Key additions: Kelsey Trulsrud, Dalyce Emmerson, Taya Keujer
 
Key returnees: Katie Miyazaki, Mary Hipperson, Kabree Howard, Amy Lackie
 
Key departures: Kim Tulloch, Jill Humbert, Marci Kiselyk, Jana Spindler, Lauren Whyte
 
SASKATOON – After winning the program’s second-ever Canada West championship in 2010-11, the Saskatchewan Huskies look to defend the title with a young team after losing four starters from their lineup, including Canada West MVP and All-Canadian Kim Tulloch.
 
Returning will be CIS Defensive Player of the Year Katie Miyazaki, fifth-year guards Mary Hipperson and Amy Lackie, as well as second-year point guard Kabree Howard. Miyazaki finished with a Canada West-best 87 steals, as well as added a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game and 13 points per game. Hipperson, Lackie and Miyazaki all add big-game experience to the team. Each have competed on the national stage every season they have been in the CIS. Hipperson, Howard and Lackie each averaged over 10 minutes per game off the bench for the Huskies in 2010-11 and will be looked at to fulfill the starter roles left vacant.
 
Also returning to the team from the 2010-11 championship team is Erica Gavel (3rd year, forward), Trisha Carriere (2nd year, forward), Riley Humbert (2nd year, guard) and Jordyn Halvorson, who redshirted last season.
 
Adding to the team will be 5-9 guard Kelsey Trulsrud and forwards Taya Keujer, 6-2, and Dalyce Emmerson, 6-3. Also joining the Huskies are ACAC transfer guards Kiera Lyons (Augustana) and Tracy Holloway (Lakeland College).
 
http://huskies.usask.ca/
 
THOMPSON RIVERS WOLFPACK
 2010-11 conference record: 9-15 (9th, missed playoffs)
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #9
 
Key additions: Taiysa Worsfold (guard), Britney Walton (forward), Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg (guard)
 
Key returnees: Diane Schuetze (post), Kaitlyn Widsten (guard), Jen Ju (guard), Tracy Kocs (forward)
 
Key departure: Kayla Forsyth (forward)
 
KAMLOOPS, BC – Thompson Rivers head coach Scott Reeves has been skill fully tinkering and nurturing his core group of players for five years now.
 
Fifth year players Kailey Colonna, Kaitlyn Widsten and Michelle Dimond will get to shine. Widsten has always been one of the Canada West’s top guards. She is recovering from an knee problem. Colonna emerged as one of the Canada West’s top shot blockers and in combination with Diane Schuetze give the WolfPack a solid 1-2 punch in the middle. Dimond led the team in field goal percentage and is a key player off the bench. Tracy Kocs is a dangerous free throw shooter and rebounder and Jen Ju  is a spark plug on offense.
 
Jorri Duxbury turned a lot of heads in her first season of Canada West play and is expected to be a bigger contributor this year.
 
Reeves has added a solid core of recruits, led by Taiysa Worsfold, MVP of the Canadian U17 championship in 2010. Dana Clarkson and Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg were provincial teammates of Worsfold and represent the ‘new wave’ of WolfPack stars as this program reaches for the upper echelon of the Canada West. Other highly touted recruits are Britney Walton and Sarah Malate.
 
http://www.tru.ca/athletics.html
 
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS
 2010-11 conference record: 3-21 (12th, missed playoffs)
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: N/A
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #7
 
Key additions: P Laurelle Weigl, G Sarah Cleveland, F Laurissa Weigl
 
Key returnees: F Holly Strom, P Tiffany Olsen, G/F Emily Knauff, PG Stephanie Carkner
 
Key departures: none
 
LANGLEY, BC – The 2011-12 season will be the second season for Trinity Western under the tutelage of head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul.
 
Leading the incoming class is three time CIS champion, 2007 championship MVP and 2010 gold medal game MVP 6-4 centre Laurelle Weigl, who spent four seasons with the Simon Fraser Clan as well as time with team Canada. Weigl will combine with TWU’s returning forward 6-2 Tiffany Olsen, who finished seventh in Canada West in scoring last season averaging 14.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and 5-11 third year forward Holly Strom, who has made significant strides coming into her third season with the Spartans. In TWU’s first seven pre-season games of 2011 Strom has averaged just under 15 points and nine rebounds per game for the Spartans. The trio should make for a formidable front line for the Spartans.
 
Other returners include 5-4 fourth year point guard Stephanie Carkner, 5-9 fourth year guard/forward Emily Knauff, 5-9 third year guard Janelle Traber, 5-9 second year guard Chelsea Olsen and 6-2 fourth year forward Rachelle Briscoe.
 
Rounding out the recruiting class is 5-7 third year guard Sarah Cleveland, who transfers from Portland State, 5-9 second year forward Laurissa Weigl, who transfers from Grant MacEwan College and rookie’s 5-10 forward Kristin Ford from Okotoks, Alta., 5-6 guard Ashleyn Sarowa and 5-9 guard Katelyn Star.
 
http://www.twu.ca/athletics/
 
VICTORIA VIKES
 2010-11 conference record: 15-9 (6th)
 2011 playoffs: 0-3
 Last CW title: 1999
 Last CIS title: 2002
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #10
 
Key additions: F Chelsea McMullen, G Shaylyn Crisp, G Jenny Lewis, Jordyn Newman
 
Key returnees: G Debbie Yeboah, G Cassandra Goodis, F Sarah Semeniuk, F Jessica Renfrew
 
Key departures: F Kayla Dykstra, F Vanessa Forstbauer, F Carmen Lapthorne, G Jane Anholt
 
VICTORIA, BC – It's a rebuilding year for the Victoria Vikes, but if one coach can turn it around, it's the Vikes new bench-boss and Canada's junior national team head coach Rich Chambers.
 
In his first season at the helm of the Vikes program, Chambers will need to find some grit and rebounding prowess on a team that has only one fourth-year senior in Deborah Yeboah. Camosun College transfer Chelsea McMullen will add skill at both ends of the ball on a squad that will also feature three rookies including guards Jenny Lewis and Shaylyn Crisp. The 10-player roster is rounded out by two sophomores and three juniors.
 
Forward Allison Mulock returns to add another option for Chambers off the bench. First-year guard Jordyn Newman will dress this season for the Vikes, coming off a redshirt year in which she recovered from a knee injury. Forward Natalie Janssens also returns to the roster for UVic after sitting out the past season.
 
http://www.govikesgo.com/
 
WINNIPEG WESMEN
 2010-11 conference record: 20-4 (2nd)
 2011 playoffs: 0-3
 Last CW title: N/A
 Last CIS title: 1995
 
CIS ranking: N/A
 CW ranking: #8
 
Key additions: Tia Coulter, Heather Hildebrandt, Alex Warburton
 
Key returnees: Amy Ogidan, Stephanie Kleysen, Mackenzie Prasek, Alyssa Grant
 
Key departures: Catie Gooch, Alex MacIver, Kaitlin Rempel
 
WINNIPEG – Head coach Tanya McKay, entering her 16th season with the Winnipeg Wesmen, has assembled a group of players with a variety of playing experience.
 
Fifth-years Amy Ogidan and Mackenzie Prasek will no doubt be leaders both on and off the court. Ogidan, named a second team Canada West All-Star last season after scoring 11.4 ppg will be expected to once again provide scoring and solid defensive play. Prasek will have increased playing time with the loss of Catie Gooch. Canada West Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year Stephanie Kleysen returns for her second season. Kleysen led the conference in rebounding averaging (9.5) and finished third in team scoring (8.9). Third-year players Alyssa Grant and Danielle Baril will be looked upon to provide quality minutes this season.
 
Five new faces will join the team this season, including guard Heather Hildebrandt (5th year), who played at Providence College. Tia Coulter, Brittany Rosenfelt, Alex Warburton and Ella Greer join the roster.
 
http://www.wesmen.ca/
 
About Canada West Universities Athletic Association
 Canada West is consistently the most decorated of the four conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), winning at least 10 CIS national titles every year, 1997 to 2010. Comprised of 16 schools from the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada West produces numerous major award winners and Academic All-Canadian student-athletes each year, with many going on to athletic success around the globe in pro leagues or events such as the Olympics, Paralympics or Universiade Games. “cwuaa” on Twitter. www.canadawest.org / www.canadawest.tv
 
A proud member of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).