Welcome to another season of Queen's basketball. Although the team has not been completely finalized, an early season exhibition game with Waynesburg University (Pennsylvania) allowed us to don the gold jerseys and get a good look at the off season recruits along with our returning veterans. The final was Q's 91, Waynesburg 65.
I was quite pleased with our performance and effort in the first half, especially considering we had only one starter from last year (Jill Wheat, 5th year post) in the line up. A lapse in intensity and execution, particularly in the third quarter was disappointing, but the concentration returned for the fourth quarter.
Wheat, and 4th year wing player, Christine Wallace set the tone early in the game, providing the much-needed on-court leadership. Other returning veterans (all 2nd years) Hanna Koposhynska, Sydney Kernahan, and Paige Robinson all showed signs that their off-season training has elevated their games. Our only other veteran, Brittany Moore (4th year guard) was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Six of our eleven players on the score sheet were rookies ...... and they lived up to their off season recruiting hype. Liz Boag (Kingston), Rachael Urosevic (Waterloo), Lisa Minutillo (Brantford), Gemma Bullard (Guelph), Meaghan MacDougall (Martintown) and Jordan Tomas (Waterloo), all made significant contributions, with Bullard leading the way in scoring, dropping an impressive 24 points to lead all scorers. (See game report below).
Equally impressive was how we shared the basketball, recording 26 assists (and only 16 turnovers) en route to the 91 point performance.
Frosh Week is upon us, as the first year students have flooded the campus. We will be holding open scrimmages (all welcome) Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8 from 2:30 to 4:00pm in the Upper Gym (note change of location). Friday, September 10, we move to the Main gym from 2:30 to 4:00pm. An open try out is scheduled for Monday, September 13 at 5:30pm in the Upper gym. The open try out will allow us to identify any previously unidentified prospects and to supplement our existing roster if necessary.
Our 100th Anniversary Weekend Celebration is well in-hand for the September 18/19 weekend. All friends of Queen's basketball are invited to join the weekend's activities, which include a free tour of the new Athletics & Recreation Complex, free admission to the Alumni vs Alumni game on Saturday at 1:00pm. Also scheduled is an exhibition game with McGill University (game time changed to 4:00pm), and a dinner/banquet 7:00pm Saturday evening. Please go on line to register for any or all of these activities: https://advevents.queensu.ca/cgi/page.cgi?_id=3&action=viewdetail&event_id=419
- Gaels start 2010 off right with win over Waynesburg
- KINGSTON, Ont. (September 5, 2010) - Beginning 2010-11 without backcourt mainstay Brittany Moore (Hannon, Ont.), the Gaels saw great team production in beating the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets 91-65. Ten players scored in the game, while six players had eight or more points.
- The Gaels led 47-27 after the first half, opening up their lead midway through the first quarter. Strong bench efforts from rookies Gemma Bullard (Guelph, Ont) and Lisa Minutillo (Brantford, Ont.), a combined 13 points and 3-4 from behind the arc, aided the starting five in controlling both the pace and score. Christine Wallace (North Gower, Ont.) paced the Gaels with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
- Bullard, in her Gaels debut, finished the game 7-10 including 4-5 from 3-point range, for 24 points. Liz Boag (Kingston, Ont.) started the game at guard in place of Moore, and finished with eight points and seven assists. Wallace finished with 16 points.
- Waynesburg wasn't able to find their scoring stroke, shooting just 28.8% in the game. Two players, Hannah Hunter and Morgan Hoone, scored in double figures for the Yellow Jackets
- The Gaels continue their pre-season on September 18, 2010 against McGill University. That game marks the 100th anniversary of women's basketball at Queen's, and will feature a number of returning alumni from several decades of Queen's women's basketball.
- KINGSTON, Ont. (September 5, 2010) - Beginning 2010-11 without backcourt mainstay Brittany Moore (Hannon, Ont.), the Gaels saw great team production in beating the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets 91-65. Ten players scored in the game, while six players had eight or more points.
Have a great week.
Dave.
