Team News

Calling all Women's Basketball Alumni

Itching to break out that jump shot that's been kept in the closet since your college playing days? Come out September 30th at 6pm for our Women's Basketball Alumni game and catch up with other alumni on the hardwood.If in case you needed more motivation to come out, these are some of our alumnus that have confirmed their attendance.

• Anna Rowinska
  • Douglas Program: Completed Hotel and Restaurant Management Diploma
  • Playing Years: 2003 - 2005
  • Current Occupation: Mt Seymour Resorts, North Vancouver, Marketing and Events Coordinator
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Strawberry
• Bernice Ko
  • Douglas Program: Completed Associated Degree of Sciences, Sport Science
  • Playing Years: 2005 - 2008
  • Current Occupation: Student (SFU - Kinesiology)& Brace Fitter (SportMed)
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Green tea with red beans
• Shu Hui Wong
  • Douglas Program: Science diploma program
  • Playing Years: 2006 - 2007
  • Current Occupation: Current SFU student in the Engineering program
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Rum and Raisin
• Natasha Maat
  • Douglas Program: Bachelors of Psychology
  • Playing Years: 2006-2009
  • Current Occupation: Wilco Civil Inc. office admin/estimator
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Coconut Ice cream
• Roselyn Kraft
  • Douglas Program: General Studies
  • Playing Years: 1996 - 1999
  • Current Occupation: High school Spanish Teacher at Semiahmoo Secondary
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Lemon sorbet
• Sandra Lenahan
  • Previous Name: Sandra Gwardys
  • Douglas Program: General Studies
  • Playing Years: 2006 - 2008
  • Current Occupation: Stay at home mom & Imperial Motorcycles
  • Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate
• Christy Williams (1998-2001)

Women's Basketball 2011-2012 Open Tryouts

Interested in joing the 2011-2012 Women's Basketball team? Come to the open tryout and meet the coaches and other athletes.

• Date: September 12, 7-8:30pm
• Time: September 13, 6-7:30pm
• Date: New Westminster Campus

Women's Basketball 2011-2012 ID Camp

photo Jerald Walliser

Interested in joing the 2011-2012 Women's Basketball team? Come to the ID camp and meet the coaches and other athletes.

• Date: June 4 2011
• Time: 11am-2pm & 5-8pm
• Date: New Westminster Campus

New coach brings community vision

Curtis Nelson

The goal of the Royals women’s new basketball coach is ensuring the sport’s benefits go far beyond the hardwood.

Basketball enriching the quality of life has been a constant theme for Curtis Nelson as an award-winning player and later as coach of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

"I'm thrilled to be a member of the Douglas College family and to represent the Royals as the new Women's Basketball Head Coach here in the BCCAA,” says Nelson.

“I think this is an ideal fit, as I truly believe in the entire student-athlete experience; on the court, in the classroom and in the community. This program is positioned extremely well to have a bright future in every one of those areas.”

Nelson led NAIT for five seasons as the team’s first full-time coach. He introduced theme nights for home games to heighten awareness of the program including the OOKPiNK Breast Cancer awareness game which attracted national media attention.

As a collegiate player, Nelson captained the Augustana Vikings in Camrose, Alta. for three seasons. He earned the Charles S. Noble Award for Leadership and Community Involvement and twice won the conference’s Academic Athlete award.

Nelson also played at Edmonton’s Concordia University College where he earned Student of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year and Basketball MVP honors.

"I am excited by this hiring" said Director of Athletics and Campus Life Kyle Baillie. "Curtis sees that this is a great opportunity to build a program of outstanding student athletes who will pursue excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the college experience."

Academic recognition for 2010 Fall Semester

The following members of the women’s basketball team were recognized for having perfect attendance and achieving an A grade at the mid-term evaluation of first term. Congratulations, girls, and keep up the great work in the classroom!

• Val Anderson – CRIM 1100
• Linnea Breitkreutz – PHYS 1110
• Amanda Fielding – MOD I 1131
• Sarah Gillis - SPSC 1105
• Danielle Hockley – Biomechanics
• Erika Martin – SPSC 1105 & GEOL 1120 & SPSC 1164
• Ainsleigh Mensah – CRIM 1150 & PHIL 1101 & CRIM 1101
• Quincie Onyejekwe – Medical Administrative Procedures & OADM 1114
• Erin Vekic – ENGL 1102

Terry Fox Run

Douglas Basketball was well-represented at the city of New Westminster’s Terry Fox Run at Queen’s Park on Sunday, September 19, 2010. Members of the women’s basketball team, including Terry Fox Secondary school graduates Cyndi Lawson, Quincie Onyejekwe and Erin Vekic, joined the community in the charity event to commemorate Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope.

Terry Fox, who played basketball at SFU before losing his leg to cancer, showed strength, courage and selflessness during his Marathon of Hope, on which he hoped to raise awareness and money to find a cure for all cancers. Terry ran a marathon a day for 143 straight days back in the summer of 1980, raising 1.7 million dollars, while turning down every endorsement he was offered, so as not to detract from his goal of raising public awareness.

Although he was unable to complete his Marathon, Terry Fox bequeathed his mission to all Canadians, and we are proud to represent Douglas College in this unique, innovative and volunteer-led event.

Terry Fox was fuelled by compassion, and his determination to do his very best has been an inspiration to all Canadians. It has become a fall tradition with the Douglas Women’s Basketball program to lace on our shoes and to join in this collective experience for Canadians.

Royals travel to Portland

Women's Basketball in Portland

The final weekend of the pre-season took the Royals women’s basketball team on a road trip to Portland, Oregon. This was a first time to Oregon for many of the team members, and the team had the opportunity to scrimmage Clackamas Community College and Concordia University, an NAIA school that featured Danielle Clauson, a 5’10 senior forward who was named All-American during the 2009-2010 season.

The team celebrated the Hallowe’en weekend by donning costumes for the trip, which proved to be an entertaining exercise in team unity. Costumes included all kinds of characters, from a sumo wrestler to Waldo to Peter Pan and The Cat in the Hat. The team stopped for a team lunch at Tom and Becky Peper’s 49er Restaurant, in the shadow of Mount St. Helen’s, and, despite the costumes, the group was made to feel welcome at this small town cafe.

Women's Basketball in Portland

Royals Learning from Experience

Women's Basketball
photo Jerald Walliser

The Douglas College women’s basketball team travelled to Skagit Valley Community College in Mount Vernon, Washington on Saturday to scrimmage one of Washington’s best teams. The Cardinals of Skagit Valley play in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC), the junior college league to the south of us in Washington and Oregon. Coach Steve Epperson has been at the helm at Skagit Valley for thirty-four years, averaging twenty-two wins per season. In fact, Coach Epperson was the head coach at Skagit Valley when Douglas College’s head coach, Katie MacLeod, played against SVC as a member of the Malaspina Mariners back in 1997-1998.

“It is my favourite gym to play at in Washington,” MacLeod stated. “There is a history here, a tradition of success, which we would like to model our program at Douglas College after. Coach Epperson does things the right way here, and it is always a positive experience for our group to play here.”

The trip to SVC has become a tradition for MacLeod’s Royals, as the two teams have faced off in each of MacLeod’s five seasons. The Royals are always made to feel welcome and enjoy making the annual trip.

“It is always an opportunity for us to get better,” MacLeod pointed out. “There is a level of ‘compete’ there that we do not always experience at home. We have to play with determination and toughness in order to execute with success, which makes us better as individuals, and as a group.”

This year, the teams scrimmaged in ten minute quarters, working on different aspects of the game in each of the five sessions. The Royals had moments of excellent execution, at both the defensive and offensive end.

“We had individuals who really battled, and, as a group, we took advantage of the chance to learn and grow,” commented Coach MacLeod. “We had the opportunity to see the kind of mental focus and concentration that is required on every possession in order to execute with precision and be successful. It was a valuable experience for our young group.”

The Royals continue the exhibition season with a trip to Portland, Oregon on October 29-30.

Female Apprentice Coach "Biggie" Lawson

Cindy Lawson
photo Jerald Walliser

Apprentice Coach - Cyndi Lawson, has been a member of the Douglas College Women’s basketball team for the past 3 years and graduated with a Diploma in Criminology in April 2010. She now would like to take her passion for sports and her ability to find herself through post secondary athletics to another level; as a coach. Cyndi has been a tireless volunteer in the athletics department being involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Council as well as being a guest speaker at the Student Athlete Orientation night and with the Athletics Banquet. She has the qualities to be an excellent coach and the Female Apprentice Coach Program, will permit her to grow in this role.

Mentor Coach Katie MacLeod had been head coach for the Royals for 4 years and as a female athlete who moved into coaching after playing, understands the value in this opportunity, and realizes the importance of providing the platform for women to learn and grow into coaching leadership roles. Coach MacLeod is looking forward to the opportunity to grow and develop while acting as a mentor coach. She believes that participation in the Female Apprentice Coach Program will be both challenging and rewarding for everyone involved with the women’s basketball program at Douglas College.

Royals Get Back To The Grind

Women's Basketball Team at the Grind

As summer fades to fall, it’s back to school time, and the Douglas College women’s basketball team continues to prepare for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. As part of training camp, the girls, along with friends and family, got back to the grind, literally, heading to Grouse Mountain to tackle the world famous Grouse Grind.

The Grouse Grind is Vancouver’s most used trail, a steep hiking trail renowned for its challenge in requiring physical strength and endurance in order to make it to the top. “The Grind” is a difficult 2.9 kilometre trail that climbs 850 metres in elevation up the face of Grouse Mountain.

It was a beautiful Friday morning when the squad headed up the notoriously gruelling trail, known for its steepness and mountainous terrain. This hike is an excellent test of fitness and toughness, and each member of the Royals’ group reached the top successfully, even Coach MacLeod, who was greeted by cheers from the team, waiting at the top in the sunshine on the Chalet’s gorgeous outdoor patio.

“Today we learned a lot about ourselves,” Coach MacLeod said, huffing and puffing at the top. “This hike is exactly what our season will be like…a challenge of our physical fitness and mental toughness, requiring full effort from every member of the group in order to achieve success. We pushed each other, supported each other and cheered for each other today, and that is what we will need to do throughout the year ahead.”

Rookie is Ram Tough

Haylee Antaya

They had to create a new award at the Maple Ridge Secondary School basketball banquet this past year…..an award that would recognize the efforts of a graduating senior who, in five full years of high school basketball, did not miss one practice, game or training session. Coach Don Herman called it the Ram Tough Award, and presented it to Haylee Antaya in her last basketball event at The Ridge.

Royals Coach Katie MacLeod, a fellow Ridge alum, is thrilled to have Antaya join the women’s basketball program at Douglas College. “A player with that level of dedication will really help define the culture of our program,” noted MacLeod. “As a result of her commitment to the game, Haylee has developed the skills and confidence to make the transition to the next level a smooth one. She will make an impact right away.”

The Royals have been training all summer, in preparation for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. This provides an opportunity for the team to begin to get to know one another, and to start defining roles and building the foundation for the year ahead. Antaya, who is enthusiastic about the future, commented, “I am really looking forward to joining the Douglas College program and getting to know my new teammates, and I am excited to learn everything I can from Coach Katie MacLeod.”

Antaya, who will study Journalism at Douglas College, was as dedicated to her studies as she was to basketball at MRSS. She was named the Top Student in Comparative Civilizations 12 and Psychology 12, as well as receiving recognition for Subject Excellence in Spanish. “Haylee is exactly the type of student-athlete that we want representing the women’s basketball program at Douglas College,” gushed Coach MacLeod. “As a result of hard work and dedication, Haylee has achieved a high level of success on the basketball court and in the classroom. Haylee is a true student-athlete, and will be a leader in our program.”

The Royals currently have a roster of twenty dedicated student-athletes who have been training all summer. The group will begin what is expected to be a grueling Training Camp on Monday, August 30.

Raj Reaches Ultimate Goal

Women's Basketball

The Douglas Women's Basketball program is thrilled to announce that Raj Khungorey, who was a fieldwork student with the Women's Basketball program in 2008-2009, has been accepted in to the Professional Development Program at Simon Fraser University in the fall. Raj credits his experiences at Douglas College for starting him along the path toward his goal of becoming a teacher.

"Before I came to Douglas in 2008, I didn't have a lot of experience. Coach Katie MacLeod was one of the first people to help me out and support me positively, not to mention believe in my skills as a teacher," Raj stated. "That experience with the women's basketball team in 2008-2009 helped me so much, preparing me for oral presentations and new teaching situations I was put in."

Raj was a student in the Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEC) program at Douglas College, and, as part of the requirement to complete practical experience, became a member of the Douglas Basketball family. Raj stayed for two semesters with the women's team, and was a valuable contributing member of the group.

The fieldwork experience provides the student with an opportunity to make analytical observations and gain personal competence in a supervised physical activity setting. Raj attended practices, led activities and took notes for his varied assignments.

"Raj provided valuable feedback for me as a coach and teacher," said MacLeod, who appreciated having Raj's insight. "His sports background and interest in fitness and exercise made Raj well-suited to our elite competitive environment."

We wish Raj the best of luck at SFU next fall, and we are proud to have helped him work toward his goal of becoming a teacher.

Chappell commits to Royals for 2010-11 Season

Natalie Chappell
photo by Vancouver Sports Pictures

The Douglas College women’s basketball program announced on Monday the commitment of Prince George native Natalie Chappell to the Royals for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.

Chappell, a 5’11 forward, has just completed her final high school season, starring for the Prince George Secondary Polars. She was heavily recruited throughout the BCCAA and ACAC, after leading her high school team to the AAA Girls BC Provincial Championships for the second straight year.

“I’m excited to learn from and play with my new Douglas College teammates,” said an enthusiastic Chappell, “and thrilled to play under the guidance of Coach Katie MacLeod.”

“I had a chance to see Natalie play when we were up in Prince George in February,” said MacLeod. “She is very athletic, she has good length, runs the floor well and can knock down open shots.”

Natalie will join a Royals squad that will look to build on a season in which they began to move in a positive direction, on and off the basketball floor.

Check out Natalie in action this past season…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZCJfUiN0M

Basketball Runs in the MacLeod Family

Vancouver comedian and media sensation, Cam MacLeod, the younger brother of Coach Katie MacLeod, had the pleasure of interviewing "Handles" from the Harlem Globetrotters when the World Famous ones were in Vancouver this month.

Handles Franklin is a 6'1, 175 pound guard from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who specializes in dribbling.

Handles had many positive role models growing up, first and foremost his parents. His father was a police officer, and his mother worked at a hospital. "They both served the community and passed that mentality on to me." He also credits his high school coach, Bill Gaffey, for setting him on the right path. "He taught me that education was very important. He wouldn't let me play when my grades were poor, and that lesson changed my thought process."

This is a philosophy that is shared by the Douglas College Women's Basketball program. The team was awarded the College's Community Involvement Award at this year's Athletic banquet, for their efforts off the court, in the college and the community. The group also puts a focus on the 'student' part of being a student-athlete, working and studying together in their twice weekly Study Hall sessions throughout the season.

Watching the Globetrotters' cartoon in the 1970s when he was growing up was how Handles was introduced to the game, and he is humbled that he has the chance to be a part of such an iconic organization.

"It's like a dream come true. I feel blessed and happy to be a Trotter."

Speaking of dreams coming true, check out Cam MacLeod's interview with Handles, and see the many amazing things Handles can do with the basketball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PZkbGCK7e8

Join the Royal Family

The Royals women's basketball team will be hosting its ID Camp on May 8, 2010 starting at 9am. Please contact Katie MacLeod for more info.

Royals Learn the ‘Bear Necessities’

Team Meal at the Bodnar's

The Douglas College Royals women’s basketball team took some time out of their hectic schedule to visit Jenn Bodnar’s family farm in Agassiz. The team was treated to Mama Bodnar’s amazing home cooking and enjoyed a feast that they will never forget. There were even special dishes for the picky vegetarians in the group! It was a fantastic meal by a phenomenal cook!

The team then learned the ‘bear’ necessities, hearing the stories of bears that wander in to the fields, looking for food. As you can see, the cows and the crops must be protected. It was an entertaining and educational experience for the group.

Thanks so much to the Bodnars for opening their home to us. We had a fabulous time and do appreciate the hospitality.

Royals Sweep Bearcats

Amanda Fielding
Photo Jerald Walliser

The Douglas College women saw their hard work pay off this weekend, with two hard-earned victories over the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in Abbotsford. The wins were truly a team effort, as every member of the Royals squad made valuable contributions to the group’s success.

On Friday night, in front of a raucous crowd that included special guests, the Maple Ridge Ramblers grade 8 boys basketball team, the Royals got off to a great start and took a seven point lead in to the locker room at the half. The girls never looked back, diving on the floor to come up with loose balls, leaping in the air to corral rebounds and executing for scores against the team that beat them early in the pre-season.

Douglas never trailed in the game, the result of determined defence and a balanced scoring attack. Cyndi Lawson, Val Anderson and Quincie Onyejekwe had twelve points each, and the Royals were led by Jenn Bodnar’s game-high seventeen. The Royals had to deal with some foul trouble, and needed the contributions of every player to hang on for the 60-53 victory.

Saturday night saw Douglas get off to a quick start, looking to build on the previous night’s victory. The defence held the Bearcats to just six points in each of the first two quarters, giving the Royals a comfortable sixteen point lead, which they were able to protect by making free throws and getting defensive stops against the streaky shooting Bearcats. Elena Kinakin and Amanda Fielding set the tone for the Douglas defence for the weekend, splitting the defensive transition responsibilities and playing valuable minutes for the Royals. Cyndi Lawson protected the paint, sending the Bearcats back with a couple of monster blocks down the stretch on Saturday night.

Saturday was a special night for Quincie Onyejekwe, who contributed a double-double, scoring twelve points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Teammate Val Anderson hit nine of ten free throws as part of her thirteen point night, and Jenn Bodnar again led the Royals’ scoring attack, with fifteen points in the 63-54 victory.

Val-ley Girl!

Valerie Anderson
Photo Jerald Walliser

Val Anderson (WJ Mouat, Abbotsford) played her best game of the season on Friday night, and one of the best Coach MacLeod has seen by a freshman in the BCCAA. She had 15 points and 6 rebounds in a losing cause for the Royals, and added a blocked shot and two steals, along with taking two charges.

Val is one of the Royals team captains and leaders, on and off the basketball court. Val dominated the game with her energy, diving all over the floor for loose balls, and going hard to the offensive glass – so hard, in fact, that she picked up two fouls at the offensive end trying to go get the ball. Val played her heart out for a game-high 31+ minutes, and did not take a possession off. There is no ‘quit’ in this girl.

Val represents the Women’s Basketball team on Douglas College’s Student-Athlete Council, and is enrolled in Sciences at Douglas. Val has a black belt in karate and works for the SPCA.

Cindy "Biggie" Lawson honored during Senior Night

Cindy Lawson & Coach MacLeod
Photo Sean Velasco

*taken from Coach MacLeod's speech during the presentation*

I am going to speak from the heart, but I can tell you now that I will not be able to articulate what an amazing person Cyndi is, and how important she has been to the development of the women’s basketball program that we are building at Douglas.

Cyndi played volleyball in high school; she was a very good volleyball player. She went to university and played volleyball, receiving the Millenium Entrance Scholarship. She did not play high school basketball after grade nine.

Three and a half years ago, Cyndi decided to come to Douglas College to be closer to home. Our women’s volleyball team did not have a spot for her so she emailed me. In her email she noted that she was 6’3, so of course we told her to come on out!

Cyndi’s nickname is “Biggie.” She got that nickname because when we did scout reports and talked about other teams, we would always discuss how we would defend the other team’s biggies. Because we didn’t have one! So when Cyndi became of member of our group, she became our Biggie and we were thrilled to have her! She joined us in December 2006, and learned on the fly – our first weekend of league play after the winter break that year was the road trip to Prince George. Cyndi had to learn how to sub in the game and she even got to the foul line and figured that out on the go as well. She scored four points and had six rebounds in her debut.

Cyndi was an excellent addition to our group, and was accepted and well-liked immediately because of her sense of humour and willingness to be a vocal leader. Cyndi has grown into that role and has become one of the leaders of our group. Cyndi has been through a lot to get to where she is today – at the end of her first season, she hurt her ankle on our last weekend. We taped her up and she played, and played her heart out. When she went to the doctor when the season ended, she discovered that there was a fracture in her ankle. It was then that we learned how tough this girl was.

Jen Bodnar sings the National Anthem
Photo Sean Velasco

Last season was a difficult one for Cyndi-she blew out her knee before Christmas and did not play in the second half of the season at all. She was, however, a valuable contributor to our group nonetheless, as she was a vocal leader from the bench and took advantage of the opportunity to watch and learn more about the game. Cyndi had surgery to replace her ACL in February and was back on the court in April, preparing for her senior season.

This year we have a very young group, having returned only three players from last year’s team. Cyndi has been one of our leaders and has helped demonstrate how invested you have to be, and has helped hold this group together through our challenges and growing pains. Cyndi spends every Sunday, our only off day, coaching grade 2/3 little kids hoops out in Maple Ridge. The little kids love her and she has done a fantastic job teaching them basketball skills and giving them a chance to learn about and love the game.

Cyndi is one of our team’s representatives on the Student Athlete Council, she works at the College for Campus Recreation, and she will speak on behalf of the athletes at our upcoming Student-Athlete Recruit Night. Cyndi will complete her diploma in Criminology this semester, with the goal of eventually completing a degree in Criminology.

I am so proud of the growth that Cyndi has shown in her time at Douglas College. And I, and we, have been so blessed to have a student-athlete and a person like Cyndi as part of our group. She has some exciting opportunities ahead of her, and while we wish her the greatest of successes after her playing career at Douglas is done, we want you to know, Biggie, that you will always be a part of our group, and we will always have a spot for you here.

Although there are still lots of games to play this season, this is the last game that Cyndi will play in the Douglas gym, and so tonight we want to recognize and celebrate our Biggie for all she is and all she has done for the women’s basketball program at Douglas College. Congratulations on a fabulous basketball career, Cyndi!

4th Annual Winter Classic

4th Annual Winter Classic
Photo Jerald Walliser

The Douglas College Women’s Basketball team held the 4th Annual Winter Classic Senior Girls Basketball tournament this past week in the gym at the New West campus. The tournament featured eight of the best teams from the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, and it was a thrill to have so many top-ranked teams, enthusiastic coaches and great players in the gym competing.

Abbotsford’s WJ Mouat, alma mater of current Royal freshman Val Anderson, won the tournament, defeating Mission’s Heritage Park in the final game on Wednesday. Mouat narrowly beat Maple Ridge (alma mater of Douglas College coaches Bianca Jarvis and Katie MacLeod) by one point on a buzzer-beater in the semi-final. Heritage Park reached the final with a win over Brookswood Secondary from Langley, which produced current Douglas College Royal Chelsea Church, who is recovering from knee surgery and will return to the court in the spring. Brookswood defeated Maple Ridge to claim third place in the tournament.

This annual event consistently produces excellent games, and provides a wonderful opportunity for Coach MacLeod to see some of the best high school players in the province right here in the Douglas gym! Members of this year’s Royals squad, many of whom played in the tournament in past years, organize the tournament, doing all the scorekeeping and selecting the Players of the Game.

Royals volunteer at Light the Lake festival

Team pic at Light the Lake

The Women's Basketball team assisted the Douglas College community by volunteering at the annual Light the Lake fastival, which promotes art, culture and community spirit. The girls made the most of the crisp, gorgeous dat at Coquitlam's Lagarge Lake Park, helping to string the thousands of lights that would transform the park into a sparkling holiday fairland for the Douglas College Foundation's annual fundraising event.

"Biggie" Makes a Big Impact

Cindy Lawson coaching
Photo Jerald Walliser

Royals senior Cyndi Lawson has been dedicating herself to basketball seven days a week this fall. Lawson spends Sunday afternoons as the Head Coach of the Grade 2/3 division of Maple Ridge Youth Basketball Association’s Steve Nash basketball league, leading youngsters through skills and games that introduce them to basketball.

The thirty-five boys and girls love to play dribble knock-out, ‘duck-duck-dribble’ and ‘pass-pass-shoot’ while roaring around the gym every Sunday. Lawson, who has worked at Douglas College’s summer and spring break camps in the past, prepares practice each week to include entertaining activities which incorporate basketball skill development and lots of fun. The youngsters look up to Cyndi, both literally and figuratively, and are having a great time in their introduction to basketball.

Coach MacLeod happy with team's progress

Erin Vekic
Photo Jerald Walliser

The Vancouver Island University Mariners took two victories from the Royals this weekend, the last of the first half of league play. The Royals, however, played their best game of the season on Friday night, putting up 42 points and playing with great energy, enthusiasm and confidence.

“This young group has come a long way, and we are going in the right direction,” said Head Coach, Katie MacLeod. “It was especially exciting to see the girls build on a solid first half with a strong second half.”

The Royals have struggled to put together back-to-back halves of basketball this season, but on Friday night, against one of the top teams in the league, the girls came ready to play in the second. Led by senior Cyndi Lawson, who battled and got to the free throw line (5/6), the Royals out-worked their opponent in the second half, and out-scored them in the fourth quarter.

It was a balanced attack for the Royals on Friday, who enjoyed outstanding contributions from Lawson, Erin Vekic and Quincie Onyejekwe, who finished with seven points each. Jenn Bodnar led the team in scoring with eleven points, and, as usual, Quincie Onyejekwe dominated the boards, finishing with a game-high 12 rebounds.

Rookie Erin Vekic (Port Coquitlam) had her best game of the season, attacking VIU’s full-court pressure with confidence, while picking up four steals herself, and Val Anderson (Abbotsford) played big minutes in the post, battling with VIU’s big girls all over the court. “We knew Val would have a great weekend when she stepped up at hit a half-court shot at Thursday night’s practice,” said MacLeod with a smile. The half-court shot challenge is a fun tradition with the Royals’ women on the night before a game.

Going in to the winter break, Coach MacLeod feels the Royals have come a long way in the team’s development. “It takes time for a new group to adjust to a new system. The girls are fully invested, and we will use the break as an opportunity to regroup and work hard towards preparing for the second half of the season.”

Old Spaghetti Factory Player of the Week

Quincie Onyejekwe
Photo Jerald Walliser

Over her four years at Douglas College, Quincie has grown in to a leader and major contributor to the women's basketball program. This past summer, she dedicated herself to working hard to prepare for the upcoming season. Quincie, who attended Terry Fox high school in Port Coquitlam, is a leader on and off the court for the 2009-2010 Royals.

In the classroom, Quincie is preparing for a career as a nurse, and has applied to Douglas College's Nursing program for 2010. She is hard-working at our team's weekly Study Hall sessions, and collaborates with her teammates to ensure everyone is getting the support they need in order to get the job done in the classroom.

Quincie is a good teammate and an important part of our group's connectedness. As one of the few returning players this season, Quincie has helped the group bond with her fabulous sense of humour and ability to see the good in people and situations. Quincie is always at the centre of the hilarity and fun that we are having.

Easily recognizable for her boundless effort and energy on the court, Quincie is among the league leaders in all statistical categories, averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game so far this season, including 20 points and 19 rebounds in two games against UBC-O this past weekend. Quincie can play in the post and on the perimeter, and is both willing and able to do whatever is necessary to help our group succeed.

Loon Lake Getaway

Team Pic from Loon Lake

The Royals women’s basketball team took time this week to get away together on a team retreat to the Loon Lake Research and Education Centre. The Loon Lake camp is located on the shores of the Loon Lake, within the 5,000 hectare UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest west of the Golden Ears in Maple Ridge. (www.loonlake.ubc.ca) This secluded wilderness setting afforded an opportunity for valuable time spent together, and a chance to strengthen the group’s bond, heading in to a November of league play.

The team stayed together in the Student Centre, a lakeside dormitory and gymnasium complex. The team was able to practice in the Cadillac Fairview Trevor Linden Gymnasium, watch tape in the lodge, as well as participating in team building activities by the fireplace in the great room. The girls enjoyed delicious meals at the Dining Hall, summoned by the hand rung ‘dinner bell’ that can be heard throughout the camp. This was a meaningful experience, allowing for significant learning and trust building within our group.

Royals Overwhelmed by Blues in League Opener

Jenn Bodnar
Photo by Sean Velasco

The Douglas College Royals women’s basketball team experienced a tough start in the first league game of the 2009-2010 season, losing 70-51 to the Capilano University Blues. The young Royals were overwhelmed early, struggling with the Blues’ pressure and falling behind 12-0 to start the game. This was a deficit that would prove too much to overcome, despite the fact that the Royals settled down and played a strong game for the last three quarters.

“We learned a lesson about preparation tonight,” said Coach Katie MacLeod. “It is important to minimize distractions and to be very focused in preparing for games in this league. We did not get off to a great start tonight, but I know that we will learn from this and be much more focused and ready to go in upcoming games.”

The Royals did a much better job in offensive execution in the second quarter, and found their scoring touch, led by Jenn Bodnar (Agassiz) and Quincie Onyejekwe (Port Coquitlam). Onyejekwe, who played her high school basketball at Terry Fox Secondary, has emerged as a leader for Douglas College this season. After finishing in the top ten in rebounding in the league last season as an undersized post player, Quincie has made the move to the perimeter in this, her fourth season with the team, and is willing and able to do whatever is asked of her to help the team succeed. Onyejekewe led the Royals with fourteen points and nine rebounds against Capilano on Friday night.

Down 37-24 at the half, the Royals stormed back in the third quarter, holding the Blues off the scoresheet for the first four minutes of the quarter and cutting the lead to six. Cyndi Lawson (Port Coquitlam) and Val Anderson (Abbotsford), who finished with nine and six rebounds respectively, cleared the glass to secure the defensive stops that helped the Royals creep back in to the game.

The Blues were too much on this night, however, and the Royals were unable to come all the way back, despite excellent efforts from Val Anderson, Jenn Bodnar, Amanda Fielding (Nanaimo), Cyndi Lawson, and Quincie Onyejekwe.

“We relied heavily on our core group of players to get back in to the game,” MacLeod stated, “and, unfortunately, we eventually ran in to foul trouble, and were unable to complete the comeback.”

The Royals are heading off on a team retreat this week, where they will re-group and prepare to host Quest University next weekend.

Pre-Season Kwantlen Tournament

Quincie Onyejekwe
Photo by Jerald Waliser

The Douglas College Women’s basketball team competed in a BCCAA pre-season exhibition tournament at Kwantlen Polytechnic University this past weekend. Led by Tournament All-star Quincie Onyejekwe, the Royals showed great improvement over the three scrimmages against Kwantlen, Camosun, and Quest. The women set the tone for the level at which they will need to play in order to be successful this season in the competitive BCCAA league. With two weeks off before their next exhibition action, the Royals will begin to build to the aggressive, quarter court defense for which they are known, and prepare to shut down their opponents when league play begins in early November.

Women's Basketball Season Opener

Cindy Lawson
Photo by Jerald Waliser

The Douglas College Women’s Basketball team opened the 2009/2010 season on Saturday, September 19 when they hosted the Columbia Bible College Bearcats from down the Trans Canada Highway in Abbotsford. For this first scrimmage of the season, the team set two goals: to set the tone for how hard we will play and to get better at running offense. Douglas was able to execute offense for a number of lay-ups and competed at the ‘Douglas College’ level. The Royals were led by captains Cyndi Lawson (8 points & 5 rebounds) , Quincie Onyjekewe (12 points & 5 rebounds) and Val Anderson (9 rebounds). A large crowd was on hand at the Royals' gym to see an exciting game that came down to the wire The game was a positive start to the Royals' season. The team looks forward to hosting the Alumni this Friday, September 25 at 6:00PM at the New West campus.

Women's Basketball takes Chilliwack by "Storm"

 

The Douglas College women’s basketball team was out in Chilliwack on August 25, 2009, presenting a clinic for high school basketball players in the Chilliwack area. Coach MacLeod and her team took Chilliwack Secondary by "STORM" and had a fabulous time working with boys and girls in grades 9 through 12.

The three hour clinic was lead by the student-atheletes from the 2009/2010 edition of the Douglas College women's basketball squad. The Douglas group conducted skills and drills and creative basketball activites to inspire the talented ballers from the 'Wack. It was a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved, and the Douglas College women look forward to returning to Chilliwack Secondary on September 26, when they will scrimmage UFV in pre-season exhibition action.

Douglas Awarded 2009-10 Female Apprentice Coach Program Grant

Bianca Jarvis
Photo by Jerald Waliser

Nursing student and former Douglas Royal basketball player Bianca Jarvis will be working as an apprentice coach to Katie McLeod, the Douglas College Head Coach.

The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) is pleased to announce that Bianca was one of the successful candidates for the 2009-10 CCAA Female Apprentice Coach Program. In its fifth year, the CCAA will be offering this unique opportunity to 19 Apprentice Coaches.

The Female Apprentice Coach Program is aimed at targeting the rich source of potential female coaches in the ranks of graduating student-athletes and creating a new coaching position, the apprentice coach. The CCAA is working towards the goal of having at least one female member on the coaching staff of each women’s sports program. Incentives are offered to institutions that offer apprentice coach positions within the CCAA sports of soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, golf and cross country running. The grant is identified for professional development opportunities in either NCCP or related coach education, and for operational costs associated with the apprentice coach.

Having played so many sports all my life, I wanted to take all the knowledge I learned and pass it on. In addition, I only ever had one female coach throughout all the sports I played and she was able to do so many amazing things in such a small period of time. I am very thankful to Douglas College, Coach McLeod and the CCAA for providing me with this opportunity to develop both as a coach and a person.

To read more:
http://www.douglas.bc.ca/about/features/bianca-jarvis.html
http://www.ccaa.ca/web/index.php/en/

New Recruit one smart cookie

New Women's Basketball recruit Erin Vekic has been rewarded for her outstanding work both in the classroom and on the court during her years at Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam by being awarded the President's Entrance Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded annually to eight high school students entering Douglas College with a minumum 3.5 GPA and offering significant contributions to their school or community. Erin easily earned that, graduating with a stellar 3.75 GPA, while being awarded the Masters Honour Roll, for making honour every semester at Terry Fox.

But her real love doesn't come sitting behind a desk studying, it's from dribbling, shooting, defending, and working her way towards her goal of playing university basketball. Her high school coach, Kely Fridge, couldn't stop with the compliments of Erin, both as a player and as a person. "Erin is a highly motivated individual, always pushing herself to reach her potential, she spends relentless hours in the gym outside of practice time working on her individual skills".

It is this work ethic that has earned her a spot on the 2009-2010 Royals women's basketball team. "She is a wonderful basketball player who will be a leader on the basketball court" says head coach Katie MacLeod. Her outside shooting will be a huge boost to a Royals squad that saw some veteran guards graduate at the end of this past season. Her father, Adrian Vekic, cannot wait to see his daughter in a Royals uniform, "we are so proud of everything Erin accomplished both academically and athletically in high school, and we are excited to see her play at the next level".

Erin will enter Douglas College and begin taking science courses. Although reluctant at first to say what she is striving for after her playing days, she finally lets it slip that she would like to be a veterinarian, admitting though that it could change as she goes through school.

The women's basketball program has begun training for next season. Their season begins September 25th with the annual Alumni game, while the regular season kicks off at home November 6th versus Capilano.