Falling a game short of winning the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship last year, coach Michele Belanger said the women’s basketball team’s goal remains the same this season: winning a national championship.
Belanger said the Blues will rely on the team’s depth and athleticism to take on opponents, as six players from last year’s team are returning: “We’re going to pick up the pace,” Belanger said. “We’re going to run the floor and run a perimeter offence. On defence we will use a full-court press and harass teams early.”
Belanger also cited guards Laila Bellony, Laura Burke, and Ilana Weissberger as players that provide skill off the bench for U of T.
Finally, the Blues coach said she is pleased with the team’s offseason acquisitions. Joining the Blues in their first year are forwards Kauri LaFontaine and Melissa Lundgren, and guards Alaine Hutton and Kendall Smith.
The team also welcomes Ashley Keohan, who transferred from Ryerson. Belanger said Keohan came highly regarded for her “experience out of the point guard position.”
While fielding a team that has a strong mix of talent and experience, Belanger says that the competition in the Blues division will be “tight,” with their major rivals being Laurentian, Ottawa, Western, and York.
The season starts for the Blues November 4, and exhibition play begins with a home game against Laval on October 21.
