X-Women basketball roll in Miramichi
Coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent history, the StFX X-Women basketball team hit the floor in Miramichi, NB this past weekend in exhibition action and won their first tournament of the year in convincing fashion. The X-Women knocked off Crandall University (106-20), Vanier College (77-48) and St. Thomas University (90-54) over the weekend set of games.
Entering Friday’s game, the X-Women had only played together three times, yet, as a team they handled an under-matched Crandall University, holding them to 20 points for the entire game. While it may not have been their toughest competition of the year, it certainly set the tone for the weekend and showed significant improvement in team chemistry from the past weekend.
Head coach Matt Skinn was quick to jump on the positives of the weekend for his squad, citing that this weekend was much more important for the team as a unit than as basketball players.
"This weekend in Miramichi was a great weekend for more than just basketball,” Skinn explained. “With such a new group of players, we still don't even really know each other, so we wanted to take this opportunity to build some team chemistry, and for everyone to get to know each other on and off the court.”
The X-Women certainly received help from everyone on the roster as every player was given a significant chance to prove what they could do on the floor every game. Freshman Alex Martell took home player of the game honors in the opening win against Crandall, while Anne Kiberd and Vanessa Pickard won the award the following two days against Vanier and St. Thomas.
Perhaps the toughest test of the weekend for the X-Women was against Vanier College, a team that Coach Skinn called, “one of the best CCAA teams this season.” Spencer Lockhart played a huge role defensively for the X-Women as she’s proven to in the past.
“Spencer Lockhart played great defense, especially against Vanier which featured a former National Cadet Team Player,” Skinn noted.
Maturity and leadership will prove to be a big factor for the X-Women this season. After losing the veteran leadership of Ashley Stephen and Camesha McKenzie, the X-Women now turn to third year guard Rebecca Sheehan, along with senior players Kirsten Jones and Spencer Lockhart.
Coach Skinn has always been one to challenge his team and push them to the extreme. It’s clear that in order for them to return to where they’re at last year, many more performances like this past weekend are going to be needed.
“Miramichi Valley High School did a tremendous job of hosting the event, and it gave us exactly what we were looking for. We got game experience as a team, got to know the new players a little bit better, and helped to prepare us for a tough weekend upcoming in Moncton."
"Overall, I think the team got better this weekend. We still have a long way to go, but I think the whole team understands that this is a process, and that we need to continue to grow everyday as a team."
Next on the pre-season schedule for the X-Women is a tournament in Moncton, NB October 21-23 where StFX will face games against UPEI, Laval and Saskatchewan.