SEASON PREVIEW: AUS women's basketball set to tip off

Saint Mary's hope to hold onto conference title

By Corey LeBlanc

There will be plenty of teams nipping at the heels of the top dogs – the defending champion Saint Mary's Huskies – as the 2023-24 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball season tips off later this week.

"We don't expect to have any easy nights," veteran head coach Scott Munro said of his Huskies.

He added, of the expected parity in the conference, "There is going to be a lot of great and entertaining basketball for fans."

Last year, after finishing second in the AUS regular season – with a 15-5 record, Saint Mary's eliminated the UPEI Panthers in a semifinal match-up before upending the top-seeded Acadia Axewomen in the conference championship game.

While noting his roster's "high level of experience," including at the national tournament level, Munro said, "We have a pretty nice core back."

That nucleus includes AUS first-team all-star and fifth-year senior Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON) and conference defensive player of the year Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS), who is entering her fourth varsity campaign.

The Huskies also added depth and experience in former STFX all-star guard Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS).

"We expect a little bit from everybody," Munro said, noting that a half-dozen or more student-athletes are capable of leading the way for his Huskies.

He added, "We don't want teams to be able to key on one person."

Defensively, the Huskies will be focused on "taking things away."

And, when asked about keys to success, Munro said, "Taking good shots," while noting Saint Mary's has players who are "very good" from the field.

Most importantly, he offered, the Huskies have to "defend and rebound."

By the end of the season and into the playoffs, Munro said, "We want to be playing our best basketball."

'Solid and deep'

When it comes to the top regular season team last year – the Acadia Axewomen, who finished 16-3 – the pre-season has been spent "figuring each other out," according to head coach Len Harvey.

"We have the potential to be a really good team," he said.

Although they have lost "significant pieces" from last season, including AUS Most Valuable Player and perennial All-Canadian Haley McDonald, Harvey noted that they are excited about their roster, one that includes six newcomers.

"We are going to have players who will have different and expanded roles," he explained.

Harvey continued that his team will "do a lot more by committee" this season.

Senior Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Beals-Iseyemi, an AUS Second Team All-Star in 2023, is expected to lead the charge for the new-look Axewomen.

Noting her "tremendous experience," the native of Baddeck, Cape Breton offered, "Lizzy is one of the toughest match-ups in the country."

Junior wing Samantha Russell (Dartmouth, NS) and sophomore guard Bianca Helmig (Speyer, Germany) – the AUS Rookie of the Year last season – will also be in the spotlight.

Harvey also anticipates important contributions coming from junior forward Sarah Delorey (Elmsdale, NS) and third-year wing Lisa Bolander (Uppsala, Sweden).

"I think we are going to get contributions from a lot of people," Harvey offered of his "solid and deep" roster.

As for newcomers, guard Rio Yamazaki (Tokyo, Japan), who brings experience from the Olds College Broncos of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), will back up Helmig.

"She is a great addition," Harvey noted.

He added that freshmen Madyson Eisnor (Edmonton, AB) and Iris Leuschner (Antigonish, NS) have also been playing well.

Heading into what he expects to be another highly competitive AUS season, he explained that his program's focus is the same as always – competing for a conference banner.

"We keep chipping away, trying to get better every day," Harvey offered.

Quipping that it is the "wild, wild east," he noted that the conference has a lot of great coaches and student-athletes.

"It is going to be another interesting year, and we look forward to being a part of it," Harvey said.

Panther power

Coming off a third place finish in the regular season – at 13-7 – the UPEI Panthers scored an overtime win in a quarterfinal match-up with the CBU Capers, before the eventual champion Huskies defeated them in a conference playoff semi-final last season.

"Everyone has been working hard, and we are really looking forward to a very competitive season," head coach Matt Gamblin said. "It is going to be everybody – a collective effort."

As part of that approach, Gamblin said his returning players are going to have to step up.

Leading the way for that group of returnees are the Rainford sisters of Toronto – Lauren, an AUS First Team All-Star last season – and Aiden, who provides the Panthers with an inside presence.

When it comes to the Panther newcomers, Gamblin noted that they not only have talent, but also experience playing at a high level.

Karla Benitez (Ambato, Ecuador), who is recovering from a broken foot, is coming off a First Team All-Star campaign with the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association's (ACAA's) Holland College Hurricanes.

"She is an experienced transfer who is going to help us right away," Gamblin said.

Deborah Aboagye (Montreal, QC), a master's student at UPEI, was the RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year last season with the Bishop's Gaiters.

"Defending – I know that's boring to say," Gamblin said, with a laugh, when asked what the Panthers need to do to contend for an AUS banner. "We want to put a lot of pressure on our opponents."

Gamblin also noted that they will have rebound and keep turnovers to a minimum, with the ultimate goal being to get better every day.

"It should be a great season – I hope the fans are out in full force."

'Pick their poison'

When it comes to new faces, there is also one on the bench in Fredericton, where Erin McAleenan has taken over from the retired Jeff Speedy as head coach of the UNB Reds.

"I walked into a pretty great group," she offered, with a laugh, noting the experience of her roster playing at a "high level."

That starts with a pair of fifth-year all-stars: Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) and Reese Baxendale (Sussex, NB), along with juniors – guard Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) and forward Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON).

"We can score really well, and we can defend," McAleenan added.

She takes the reins of a program that finished fourth last season – at 12-8 – before being eliminated in an AUS semi-final by Acadia, after earning a quarterfinal victory – in overtime – over the Memorial SeaHawks.

McAleenan explained that the Reds should be able to score in a variety of ways, especially if they are hitting their three-point shots. She added, with players like Butts, they will be able to score at and away from the rim.

"They are going to have to pick their poison," she offered, when it comes to opponents stopping their offense.

McAleenan explained that one of the key focuses is on making teams play a half-court game.

"We want to control the pace," she offered.

The build-up to the new AUS season hasn't been without challenges, including the loss of highly-touted freshman wing Addie Mombourquette (Fredericton, NB) for the season, after she was injured in UNB's second pre-season game.

"We have the experience and talent – it is going to be about getting better and working together," McAleenan said.

Ready to fly

The Memorial Sea-Hawks, with a 10-9 record, finished fifth in the conference last season before the aforementioned nail-biting loss to the Reds.

Noting the graduation of key veterans Inés Salat Margarit and Gabrielle Roche, head coach Mark English said his program has "lost experience and leadership."

Although the Sea-Hawks have returned their "veteran core," he noted that he has been tinkering with his starting line-up throughout the pre-season.

"That's what we are trying to do," English explained of that approach, one aimed at helping second and third-year players take on "bigger roles" this season, which will be crucial to success.

Conference all-star Alana Short (Barrie, ON), a fifth-year guard, is expected to lead the way for Memorial.

"She is no secret to anyone in the AUS," English said, noting his student-athlete's contributions on both ends of the floor.

He added that the Sea-Hawks are expecting a big season from forward Hannah Green (Flatrock, NL), along with third-year guard Rebecka Ekström (Stockholm, Sweden).

"We expect those three players to be the core of our offense," English offered of that trio, while noting their leadership qualities.

Malva Gyllenhammar Ekelof (Malmo, Sweden), an AUS All-Rookie Team member last season, has returned for her sophomore campaign.

After wrapping up her AUS soccer season with Memorial, junior guard Alyssa Jenkins (St. John's, NL) will return to the basketball program.

As for newcomers, the Sea-Hawks have added experience in Claire Hickman (St. John's, NL), a fifth-year forward, who started her AUS career with the Dalhousie Tigers.

In recent seasons, Memorial has been a team noted for being "quite fast," as English described, and high scoring. This year, he wants to take advantage of their size at the 3, 4 and 5 positions, with student-athletes such as fourth-year forward Erin Long (St. John's. NL).

"We want to be gritty and be hard to play against on the defensive end," he said, noting that – during the pre-season – his Sea-Hawks were consistently holding teams in the 60-point range.

"There is nothing like the AUS – there is so much parity," English offered, adding that "anyone can beat anyone."

Even though he noted the defending champion Huskies return their key pieces, and will be tough to beat, English suggested, "I don't know that there is a clear frontrunner."

If they play the way they need to, with younger players stepping up their contributions, he expects his Sea-Hawks to be in the mix when it comes to contending for an AUS crown.

'Youthful enthusiasm'

As for the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers, who collected the final conference playoff spot last season – sixth place with a 9-11 record, their recipe for success this season will include key contributions from returnees, along with being able to harness and develop the roster's youthful enthusiasm.

"We don't have a lot of experience at this level," veteran head coach Fabian McKenzie offered.

He explained that the pre-season has been a "grind," as the Capers work on developing continuity on both ends of the floor.

Although they have improved their depth, he noted, "We have to learn what it takes to win [in the AUS]."

During that process, McKenzie agreed, his Capers are probably going to take some lumps, especially early in the season.

"Experience is a great teacher, but the tests come first and the lessons later," he noted.

All-Canadian forward Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) and Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) – both juniors – will be relied on to help lead the charge, while shooting guard Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS) and Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS) are the other starters back from last season.

Darah Fleurgin (Montreal, QC), who earned a spot on the 2023 AUS Conference All-Rookie squad, is one of those who will be counted on to inherit an expanded role.

"We will see what happens," McKenzie offered of the timeline for the first-year Capers to make that transition to the AUS level of play.

As for what fans should expect to see on the hardwood, when CBU is playing well, he said "an up-tempo defensive team."

Reiterating the importance of having a team effort each game, McKenzie offered, "We need to be hard to play against as a group."

He added, "We have a lot of good pieces, but there are also teams [in the AUS] that are loaded."

'D' not 'X' marks the spot 

In Antigonish, the STFX X-Women – who finished out of the playoffs last season with a 3-17 record – are focused on making a return to the conference post-season.

"Our goal is to be a defensive juggernaut," second-year head coach Matt Spencer said.  "We want to be disruptive and hard to play against."

Because of that, making strides in that aspect of the game – big ones – has been a key focus for the White and Blue since they tipped off training camp.

After giving up more than 84 points per game last season – the most in U SPORTS women's basketball – Spencer said they have targeted to the top half, or even third or quarter, when it comes to points per game allowed.

"We want to do things by committee," he noted, when asked who needs to lead the way for the X-Women.

Nevertheless, returnees – such as senior forward Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, BY) and fifth-year forward Katie Upham (North River, NS), who is in her second season at X, after starting her collegiate career with the Calgary Dinos – will have to be key contributors, if the White and Blue are to reach their goals.

True sophomores – Lauren Neeve (Oro-Medonte, ON) and Krissy Cooper (Hamilton, ON) – according to Spencer, have taken a step forward.

"Lauren is one of the grittiest defenders in the conference and has added some scoring punch to her game from last year, while Krissy is just playing with a lot more confidence and she is ready to go."

Junior forward Elizabeth Kennedy (Richmond, BC), according to Spencer, is in the "best shape of her career."

STFX's newcomers include freshman forward Shannon Neita (Toronto, ON) – who is expected to make an immediate impact as a defender, rebounder and scorer – along with veteran guard Alisha McNeil (Alder Point, NS) – a dogged defender – who played her first four seasons with the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics of the ACAA.

When asked about his program's expectations, he said, "You never really know what the season has in store."

But, if they stick to their game plan, continue to develop and – of course – stay healthy, Spencer offered, "We should be a playoff team."

Restoring the roar

When it comes to the Dalhousie Tigers, who went 1-19 last season and missed the playoffs, head coach Tanya McKay said the program is "super excited" about the new campaign.

"Our returning players and in-coming players have worked hard in the off-season to be competitive and to raise the bar every day in practice," she offered. "We know that to create a culture of success it requires recruiting and maintaining dedicated student-athletes, who are proud and honoured to wear the Tiger logo on their chest, and we feel we have done that."

Even before the AUS season tips off, the Dal program has faced adversity, including some big bites from the injury bug. A couple of key returning student-athletes – Grace Dalton (Cape Broyle, NL) and Abby Carpenter (Torbay, NL) – along with freshman Sophie Carmichael (Dartmouth, NS) have suffered year-ending injuries.

"Losing three players who were to provide length and depth leaves us with 11 healthy bodies who will all need to play to their potential for us to meet our goal of AUS contender," McKay said.

As for freshmen expected to make an impact from that line-up, there are Kaitlyn Ferrier (Calgary, AB) and Simona Matic (Belgrade, Serbia), who fans will notice for their engines and high basketball IQ according to the Dal mentor, while Reilly McMillan (Calgary, AB) provides effort and athleticism.

"They will all be thrown quickly into the mix, and we look forward to watching their development throughout their first year," Riley said.

She said that fans will notice the growth of second-year Tigers – Mercy Olugu (Halifax, NS) and Sarah Valley (Regina, SK) – who garnered AUS All-Rookie Team nods last season, as they build on the success of their first year.

Dalhousie has also welcomed transfers Sydney Guker-Wickie (Kitchener, ON), Eva Widmeyer (Dartmouth, NS) and Lauren Tetteh-Wahoe (Edmonton, AB), who McKay explained "will help bring skill, leadership and competitiveness to a very young team, which will help raise the level of play in practice and in games." 

She added that they – along with returnees Anna Parsons (Calgary, AB), Emma Ward (Moncton, NB) and Katie Wuotila (Calgary, AB) – "will continue to build our foundation for success."

When they are clicking, McKay offered that her Tigers will play up tempo and hard.

"We are under-sized and young, in comparison to the other AUS teams, and – as a result – we cannot be out-worked," she said. "When we are playing well, we are playing a 90-foot game with intensity and pace."

When it comes to expectations for this season, including a return to the conference playoffs, McKay said, "I know this sounds cliché, but our expectation is to get better every game so that in March we make it into the AUS playoffs and, with the single elimination format of the AUS – and us peaking at that time, we believe that anything is possible."

Game on

Leading into a full slate of games over the weekend, the AUS women's basketball regular season will get underway on Thursday, Oct. 26, when the Saint Mary's Huskies host the Acadia Axewomen, in a 6 p.m. start, at The Tower in south end Halifax.  

You can watch this – and all other AUS games throughout the year – at austv.ca