Panther Basketball set for home openers
Both the UPEI Men and Women Basketball teams hit the court this weekend for ‘double-header' home openers against the UNB Varsity Reds.
The women's team plays Friday, November 19 at 6 pm and November 20 at 4 pm. Read preview.
The men's team plays Friday, November 19 at 8 pm and November 20 at 6 pm. Read preview.
New look for UPEI Women's Basketball
The UPEI Women's Basketball program begins the 2010-11 AUS regular season with just four players from last year - Katie Moore, Carly LaFave, Julia McKenna and Nadine Chomyc. From high schools across the region and country come seven new faces: Jenna Jones, Danielle MacDonald, Amy Gough, Nakita Newman, Kelcy McNally, Laura Marcolin and Katelyn Powers. College transfer, Emily MacEachern, and CEGEP transfer, Marie Christine Parent, are also new additions.
There is no doubt this group will have to grow quickly to challenge the highly competitive AUS conference, but head coach Carly Clarke is confident has the capacity to make a big impact, especially with the four returnees at the helm.
'We expect our lone fourth-year, 6' forward, Katie Moore, to anchor the Panthers' inside game at both ends of the floor. Katie's dominant presence on the boards will help to dictate the up-tempo style of play this season and lead the rest of the team,' said coach Clarke.
She added, 'Third-year, 5'7' guard, Carly LaFave, has had a strong pre-season, and as one of the team's best three-point shooters I know she'll contribute offensively and use her experience to help guide her younger teammates.'
Julia McKenna, a 5'6' guard who is entering her second season, will be called upon to lock down the opposing teams' greatest threats while attacking the rim and get to the free throw line offensively. Also entering second year is 5'9 guard, Nadine Chomyc, who will play multiple positions this season, a role in which she thrived throughout the pre-season.
Headlining the rookies is 5'8' guard, Jenna Jones, who had a stellar career at Riverview High, including back-to-back NB Provincial Championships and a championship MVP award. Danielle MacDonald, a 5'5' guard, enters her first season as the team's fittest player, earning significant court time in the pre-season due to her constant defensive hounding and her growing sense of how to lead from the point guard position. First-year, 5'10' guard, Amy Gough, leads the pre-season scoring efforts and earned a nod on UPEI's own Mickey Place Tournament All-star team. With an incredibly high basketball IQ and superb passing ability, Amy should have a major impact on the Panthers' success this season. Gough, MacDonald, and Jones are all potential candidates for recognition on the AUS All-Rookie Team.
Also entering first year is 5'11' guard, Nakita Newman, a Canada Games gold medallist with Team Alberta. Her creative scoring and passing, and her size and length make her a difficult match-up on both ends of the floor which the Panthers are certain to exploit this season. Third-year, 6' forward, Emily MacEachern, a transfer from Holland College, has developed as a strong inside presence alongside Katie Moore. Her impact is expected to strengthen as she gains comfort with the speed of play in the CIS.
First-year guards, Marie Christine Parent, 5'10', Kelcy McNally, 5'5', and Laura Marcolin, 5'9', all add different dimensions to the Panthers' back court. Parent has the potential to be a knockdown shooter; McNally is demonstrating herself as one of the team's feistiest on-ball defenders; and Marcolin adds a level of toughness and grit as one of the team's best shooters off the dribble. First-year forward, Katelyn Powers, has an opportunity to disturb offenses with her length and become a strong rebounder.
UPEI Men's Basketball ready to hit the court
The UPEI Men's Basketball Program enters the 2010-11 season with six new faces and the return of two former players. Back are Manock Lual, Terrence Brown, Michael Hardy, Anthony McDougald, Nick Kaminsky, and Mitchell McQuade. Jonathan Cooper returns after an academic ‘red-shirt' year, while Greg Wright comes back after three seasons off. New to the program are Geoff Doane, Anwar Faza, college transfer Jermaine Duke, Aaron Robbins, Mark Lutley, and walk-on Sean Seviour.
Head coach, Matthew Davies, enters his fifth season with the Panthers and is happy to welcome back assistant coach, Bob Maks, for his second season. Joining them as student assistant coach is alumnus, Tim Butler.
Says Coach Davies, "We're proud of how the team has bonded together and dedicated themselves on the court, in the classroom, and within the community. We believe this team has the potential of being a threat heading into February and March as long as we stay dedicated to our style of basketball―aggressive, full-court defense leading to an up-tempo offensive attack."
A second-team, AUS All-Star in 2009-10, 6'6", fourth-year forward, Manock Lual, is expected to continue to make an impact for the Panther front court. He is a versatile inside-out offensive threat whose length creates issues at the defensive end. 6'5" forward, Geoff Doane, is coming off a fantastic high school career at Sir John A. MacDonald (2010 provincial champions) and with Basketball Nova Scotia (2009 Canada Games Silver Medalist). A physical offensive player, he can create off the bounce and hit the open jumper.
Back for his fourth season, 6'2" guard, Jonathan Cooper, is hungry to elevate the bar for his teammates. One of the quickest guards in the league, he is tenacious defensively and pushes the tempo on offense. Entering his first season, Anwar Faza is a versatile 6'4" guard who has the ability to make an instant impact in his rookie campaign. His length and defensive IQ have created problems for opponents in the pre-season.
6'0", second-year guard, Terrence Brown, is a natural scorer off the bounce with maximum range on his jump shot. He is expected to be a threat to take over games when necessary as the team's starting shooting guard. Michael Hardy, a third-year, 6'6" forward, has the ability to grind it out inside and take the ball face-up on the perimeter to hit the open jumper. He is a key piece of the Panthers' front court plans. A transfer from Fleming College in the OCAA, third-year, 6'6" forward, Jermaine Duke, has the potential of being one of the best defensive players in the AUS. He is a natural shot blocker who is also one of the quickest players on the roster.
The only fifth-year player on the roster is 6'4" forward Anthony McDougald. His leadership will be counted on to help guide the Panthers this season. He has the potential to be one of the best post defenders in the league. At 6'7", Aaron Robbins has arguably the most potential on the roster as he has the ability to play in both the frontcourt and backcourt.
Greg Wright, a second-year, 6'2" guard, Mark Lutley, a first-year, 6'3" guard, and Nick Kaminsky, a third-year, 6'4" guard, all bring different elements to the team's backcourt. Greg has the potential of being a knockdown, 3-point shooter with a very strong ability to read screens and create open looks for himself. A very strong guard, Mark has the ability to be a strong defender and table-setter for the team. Nick's basketball IQ is among the best on the team and he is a talented shooter off the catch or off the bounce. Fourth-year, 6'9" forward, Mitchell McQuade is sidelined for the entire first semester with a lower body injury but once healthy, he is expected to make an impact in the second semester as a gritty post player, shot blocker, and 3-point threat. Walk-on Sean Seviour, a 6'1" guard, will likely red-shirt the season as he continues to learn the point guard position at the CIS level.
