RDC Queens basketball head coach Dawn Smyth is taking an optimistic yet cautious approach to the Alberta Colleges Women’s Basketball League season.
“I like what I see so far, but it’s still early . . . we’ll know more by the time the season gets underway,” said Smyth, who could have as many as seven veterans on the roster.
“You just never know what can happen. Last year we were excited about the team, then ran into a string of injuries and lost Lisa (Ivanic).
“But we’re pretty big compared to other seasons and hopefully that translates into points,” she added.
“Plus the girls have shown a desire to work hard and work well with each other.”
Sisters Lauren and Courtney Loyek return along with Jessica Foley-Geldart, giving the Queens veteran experience inside.
Lauren is in her fourth year and is coming off an outstanding second-half to last season. She finished with six double-doubles, averaging 10.9 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals.
“Having a fourth-year player will only help,” added Smyth. “You have that experience and it’s like having a coach on the floor. It certainly helps in practice.”
Stephanie Tremblay, who joined the Queens at Christmas last year after the soccer season was over, is once again one of the premier players with the Queens soccer team and will also play basketball.
The fifth-year veteran gives the hoop squad a strong veteran defensive presence.
One of the key returnees is point guard Karlen Majcher, who was proving to be a solid starter last season when she broke her leg and was out for the rest of the season.
“She got her eligibility back, which is great for her, and we couldn’t be happier to have her back,” said Smyth. ‘She was one of our better players last year before she was injured.”
Five-foot-10 Hannah Nagy is also back for a second year with the possibility of five-foot-11 Paola Viveros returning after a year off.
Smyth is pleased with her veteran group amnd she’s all smiles when she discusses several rookies.
Five-foot-11 Ashlynne Gentles of Edmonton’s Archbishop O’Leary, which placed third in the provincial 4A championships, will give the squad more strength inside while Venezuela native Sara Astorga, who has lived in Calgary the last two years, should provide scoring.
Astorga averaged 31 points per game last season in high school and was a member of the Venezuela junior national team when she was 15.
Morgan Schultz of George McDougall of Airdrie will back up Majcher.
“She comes out of a good program, as McDougall placed third in the (3A) provincials last year, is a good shooter and sees the floor well,” said Smyth, who also picked up five-foot-10 Michelle Steeves out of St. Mary’s College in Calgary.
Steeves, a Notre Dame product, played three years at St. Mary’s.
Erin Wiersma, a six-foot forward from Central Alberta Christian High School in Lacombe, and Sarah Williamson, a guard out of Bishop Grandin in Calgary round out the roster.
“She’s new to the team, but has experience and played a lot of exhibition games against our league, so she knows what to expect,” said Smyth.
The Queens see their first exhibition game Wednesday against Camrose Augustana Vikings in either Camrose or Erskine.
The Queens will also play in the Augustana and SAIT tournaments and host their own tournament Oct. 13-15.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com