Lancers take down Hawks

 

by Michael Hugall

 

The University of Windsor basketball program may have some new faces on both the men’s and women’s teams, but the half-decade of winning isn’t about to subside.

The Windsor Lancers women’s basketball team defeated the Laurier Golden Hawks 83-80 Nov. 4 at the St. Denis Centre despite the team only having five returning players.

It is the beginning of the season that many Ontario University Association Basketball fans were puzzled with, not because of the Lancer’s effort in the contest, but because the five-peat champions of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport conference are currently ranked ninth.

“Ranking is just people’s opinion,” said head coach, Chantal Vallee. “It doesn’t really matter, we’re young… it’s going to take us time but we’re not going to win many games if we allow 80 points on defence.”

The Lancers are coming off their fifth straight CIS national championship and without CIS Female Athlete of the Year Korissa Williams, as well as guards Jocelyn Laroque and Kristine Lalonde it is apparent the Lancers are going to need to deliver in other areas in order to put pressure on opponents.

“With Erica McFadden coming in… her driving and jump shot are definitely going to help the team,” said third-year forward, Cheyanne Roger. “Her addition is going to help us win throughout the season.”

Roger an Etobicoke native went 9-15 from the floor grabbing 13 rebounds to go along with her game-high of 24 points.

“I’ve had a lot of pressure put on me to perform,” said Roger. “But it’s something I have to do.”

The Laurier Golden Hawks came into the contest with a lot of returning faces, including fourth-year guard Kaitlyn Schnenck who scored 13 points in the loss.

“Playing teams like this is great because it’s a great learning opportunity for us,” said Schneck. “ We aren’t even looking at a ceiling right now, we are just trying to get better the next week… be better than the game before.”

As for the men’s team, a calamity of beginnings may have had people skeptical when the season got under-way wednesday. With newly appointed head coach Ryan Steer relieving Chris Oliver (sabbatical-leave) and 10 newly acquired players, they were able to briefly silence the critics as the Lancers defeated the Golden Hawks 88-77.

One returning face that is happy to have a bigger role is Sarnia native, Mike Rocca. Rocca is in his third year with the Lancers and said he feels prepared to become a leader.

“It feels really good, I’m really excited with this new team,” said Rocca. “I’ve always been a leader right from the start… the development in my leadership is something I focus on too.”

As for the coaching staff, Rocca said playing under Ryan Steer has similarities to playing under Oliver. Rocca stated Steer is a high-energy guy who expects a lot from his players. In return, the players expect a lot from him as well.

“Obviously losing guys like (Rotimi Osuntula) Junior, Evan Mathews, and Kahlid (Abdel-Gabbar) is going to call upon the freshman to step up… it’s all promising so far,” said Steer. “They are starting to settle in their role and know what’s expected of them.”

It seems one of those rookie’s who knows what is expected of him is former Kennedy Clipper Isiah Osbourne who contributed 21 points in his Lancer debut, adding three assists in 38 minutes of playing time.

The Lancers are back at home Nov. 13 when they take on the Western Mustangs at the St. Denis Centre.