Source: OUA Communications
HAMILTON, Ont. - The best of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s basketball will take to the court on Saturday, April 27. This year, the action is headed to Sault Ste. Marie as Algoma University hosts the sixth annual OUA All-Star game, presented by Recharge with Milk. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. Admission is free for elementary and high school students and OBA participants. Tickets are for $5 for university students and adults.
After 12 years of competing in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), Algoma University will be joining the OUA for the 2013/14 season. The University has a long history of success in men’s and women’s basketball, having won OCAA silver medals in both divisions.
“Algoma University is thrilled to be hosting the sixth annual OUA All-Star Game,” said Mark Kontulainen, Algoma University’s Athletic Director. “This is a great way for both the University and the Sault Ste. Marie community to kick-off our involvement with the OUA by hosting the league’s top performers in a showdown of talent.”
Leading the OUA West team is two-time OUA/CIS defensive player of the year and OUA championship MVP Miah-Marie Langlois (Windsor, Ont.). The fourth-year point guard was a major asset for the repeating national champions, and led the OUA in steals (67) and assists (125) for the second year in a row. Lancer team mate Korissa Williams (Windsor, Ont.) will also be someone to watch on Team West. Williams was named an OUA second team all-star and was the CIS quarter-final player of the game in Windsor’s victory over Ottawa. McMaster’s Danielle Boiago (Hamilton, Ont.) made her mark on the league in her first season. The rookie guard earned OUA rookie of the year honours and finished second in team scoring with 15.3 PPG. OUA West MVP Nicole Rosenkranz (Niagara Falls, Ont.) rounds out the award winners on the 2012-13 edition of Team West. The fourth-year forward averaged 16.1 points per contest and narrowly missed out on averaging a double-double, picking up 9.5 rebounds per game.
The major award winners and three-peat CIS champions are joined by First Team All-Stars Jenny Vaughan (Dundas, Ont.) of Western and McMaster’s Hailey Milligan (Brantford, Ont.). Representing the West Division second team are Lakehead’s Carolyn Fragale (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Brock’s Kayla Santilli (Brantford, Ont.). Representing the OUA All-Rookie team is Guelph guard Erica McFadden (Alma, Ont.) and Dayna Howlett (Burlington, Ont.) of the Brock Badgers. Team West is coached by Brock bench boss Si Khounviseth and Algoma Thunderbirds assistant coach Pat Murray.
OUA East Player of the Year Alyson Bush (Ottawa) headlines Team East at this weekend’s game. In her final season of university competition, she averaged 14.2 points per game to lead her team and finish third in the east division. Known for her hard work and court vision, Bush also added 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest lifting her team to a 15-5 regular season record. In addition to being named OUA East MVP, Bush took home hardware as the OUA East defensive player of the year and the Joy Bellinger Award for given to the female basketball student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding service to the sport and to the advancement of university athletics. Ryerson's Cassandra Nofuente took home East rookie honours and will also dress this weekend. The Toronto native appeared in all 20 games for the Rams in her rookie season, finishing 16th in the OUA with 12.6 points per game. The five-foot-six guard also hauled in 6.3 rebounds per game which was 17th in the OUA. Tracey McLeod Award winner Darcy Hawkins (Merrickville, Ont.) of the Carleton Ravens will also dress for Team East.
Joining the major award winners on Team East are Second Team All-Stars Liz Boag (Kingston, Ont.) of the Queen’s Gaels and Toronto’s Rachael Sider (New Westminster, B.C.). The OUA East All-Rookie team is represented by Ottawa’s Julia Soriano (Toronto), Lindsay Shotbolt (Markham, Ont.) of the Carleton Ravens and Ottawa’s Catherine Traer (Chelsea, Que.). Gee-Gees forward Alyska Lukan (Barrie, Ont.) will also lend her services to Team East.
For the second consecutive season, Team East will be led by Ottawa Gee-Gees head coach Andy Sparks and Algoma Thunderbirds bench boss Ryan Vetrie.
A full day of events is planned before the All-Star game, beginning with an OBA Mega Hoops Mania clinic run by the OUA All-Stars at 10 a.m. This two hour, fun-filled, action packed skill session will lead participants through progressive activities as they learn the proper execution of basketball fundamentals. Following the clinic the All-Stars will take to the court for the Recharge with Milk 2-Ball contest at 1 p.m. This high-energy and skill testing competition will see OUA All-Stars teamed up to determine which hoops duo can make the most baskets in sixty seconds.
The OUA All-Star game is being held in conjunction with the 2013 U15 Midget Girls OBA Ontario Cup, with games taking place in Sault Ste. Marie all weekend.
There are still spots available for the OBA Mega Hoops Mania clinic! Click here for more information and to register!
OUA recognizes the following sponsors for their support of this event; Recharge with Milk, Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada, Ontario Basketball (OBA), Porter Airlines and Algoma University.
TEAM WEST ROSTER
Danielle Boiago - McMaster Marauders
Jenny Vaughan - Western Mustangs
Korissa Williams - Windsor Lancers
Nicole Rosenkranz - Brock Badgers
Kayla Santilli - Brock Badgers
Miah-Marie Langlois - Windsor Lancers
Erica McFadden - Guelph Gryphons
Carolyn Fragale - Lakehead Thunderwolves
Hailey Milligan - McMaster Marauders
Dayna Howlett - Brock Badgers
TEAM EAST ROSTER
Alyson Bush - Carleton Ravens
Julia Soriano - Ottawa Gee-Gees
Liz Boag - Queen's Gaels
Lindsay Shotbolt - Carleton Ravens
Cassandra Nofuente - Ryerson Rams
Catherine Traer - Ottawa Gee-Gees
Rachael Sider - Toronto Varsity Blues
Alyska Lukan - Ottawa Gee-Gees
Darcy Hawkins - Carleton Ravens
-OUA-