Basketball X-Women ready for return to the hardwood

Young roster continues building process

By Corey LeBlanc

The focus remains on improving and building a contender – rather than wins and losses – for the STFX X-Women basketball program as it prepares for a new Atlantic University Sport (AUS) season.

"We have a young crew – a lot of brand-new faces – that is ready to go and really excited," fourth-year White and Blue head coach LeeAnna Osei says.

She describes her roster, one that includes only a single senior student-athlete – Kimberly Kingsbury (Nepean, ON), as "really competitive, driven and cares about one another."

"We have an exceptional group of young women," Osei adds.

In the last conference campaign (2019-20), the X-Women – despite finishing out of the playoffs with a 3-17 mark – showed tremendous improvement and were much more competitive than the program that went winless only a couple years earlier.

"We have remained focused on improving year after year," Osei says.

That continues to happen not only on the court, but also in the community and classroom, with the X-Women having a record number of Academic All-Canadians from the program last year.

"It is about getting better in every way," Osei offers, when asked about expectations for this season, noting that her X-Women program "measures success against ourselves."

Coming on the heels of a season that was shelved, the White and Blue – like most AUS sport programs – has welcomed two-years' worth of newcomers.

"It is going to be the most athletic one we have had – across the board," Osei says of the make-up of her roster." Because of that, she adds, the X-Women expect to be able to "guard in a dynamic way."

Osei notes that – more than ever – the team will feature half and full-court defensive pressure. "We are a little undersized, so we are going to have to show grit and intensity – on both ends of the floor – when the shot goes up," she says.

Osei describes the X-Women offense as an "ongoing process," noting that is not surprising, considering the whole line-up has only been working together for a few weeks.

Although there is familiarity between returning players – such as Kingsbury, Briar MacDonald (Antigonish, N.S.) and Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, N.S.) – she explains that work continues on what combinations will provide the "most return" on that end of the floor.

"It is going to take some time to figure out," she offers of developing offensive continuity.

Osei points out that they have great potential, when it comes to putting the ball in the basket, which will be helped by having a focus on wreaking havoc and causing turnovers on defense.

As for the first-year X-Women, one of the key contributors will be Tahmala Thorpe (Mississauga, ON), who brings extensive high and prep school experience. She has been with the program since last fall.

"We are really looking forward to having a solid floor general," Osei says of the 5'4" point guard. Noting that Thorpe is a strong passer and ball-handler, she adds she also has the "ability to score."

The Atherley twins (Windsor, ON) – Kira and Tyra – are 5'10" forwards that have a celebrated track-and -field background. "They are going to bring a lot to the table," Osei says.

Luiza Mendes (Calgary, AB), a 6'1" freshman, is expected to provide "front-court support and depth."

As for familiar faces, besides MacDonald, Fraser and Kingsbury, the White and Blue welcome back guard Grace Rheault (Ottawa, ON) and offensively talented and physically-imposing forward Marley Bonnick (Brampton, ON).

"Although they are also young players, we are going to rely on their experience at the AUS level," Osei says of that returning quintet.

The X head coach notes that their coaches and student-athletes are "really grateful" for the opportunity to return to the game that they love. "I think we took sports for granted," Osei offers.

Noting that it is the 25^th anniversary of the X-Women's first conference championship win – one led by the legendary StFX Sports Hall of Fame member and one-time X-Women head coach Theresa MacCuish – Osei says this lineup is focused on "leaving it all on the floor," as a way of "acknowledging, recognizing and celebrating" that rich piece of White and Blue "her-story."

Although the X-Women, of course, want to be in the playoff picture, Osei stresses that the focus is on "the day-to-day process, when it is all said and done."

"We have much more important goals," she says.

Noting that – with a young roster – there are going to be "nerves and anxiety," particularly early in the season, it will probably be better to assess the situation halfway through the campaign. "We will see where we are at [then]," Osei adds of any post-season aspirations.

She praises her coaching staff, including assistants Bill Hannah, Jamie McCarron, Andrew Barnhill for everything they have done during the lengthy layoff from conference play. "They played such a big role in supporting our student athletes – on and off the court – over the past two years," Osei says.

Assistant Coach Tyrone Watson came on board this past August and is overseeing player development with both the X Women and X-Men basketball teams this season.

The X-Women will play four pre-season games over a two-week period at the beginning of October, starting with the first of two match-ups with the Acadia Axewomen on Saturday, Oct. 2 at UPEI in Charlottetown. They will also take the court against the Panthers and Dalhousie Tigers.

"We have a great group of kids and everyone is so excited about this season – on and off the floor," Osei says.

The White and Blue will tip off the AUS regular season on the road against the UNB Reds on Friday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 30.

The X-Women home opener on Coach K Court at the Amelia Saputo Centre is set for Wednesday, Nov. 3, versus the Axewomen. Game time is 6 p.m.

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