RDC Queens head coach Dawn Smyth likes the fact she’ll have a solid nucleus of returnees next season, but what she likes even more is that they’ll be surrounded by several impressive rookies.
The majority of those first-year players, who have committed to the program, were on hand for the Queens ID camp at RDC during the weekend.
“We could have 12 players back, but that’s not going to be the case,” said Smyth. “I’ve been impressed with a number of the recruits and several of them have already committed to next year.”
One of the most impressive was five-foot-seven shooting guard Sara Astorga of Calgary, who is originally from Venezuela.
“She’s good in all aspects of the game,” said Smyth, who expects her to fill in for Katelyn Olsen, who has accepted a spot with the University of Lethbridge.
“I’m glad for her,” said Smyth. “She was a great addition to our program and it’s good for the program that she gets a chance to move on. One of the goals here is to give the girls an avenue to go to the CIS.”
Smyth also added five-foot-11 forward Ashlynne Gentles, who helped Archbishop O’Leary of Edmonton finished third in the provincial 4A championships.
Six-foot-four Adult Bulgat of O’Leary was also at the camp, but will attend the national team camp and Pepperdine University.
Point guard Morgan Schultz of George McDougall of Airdrie, who were third in the provincial 3A championships, will also join the team along with six-foot-three Nyabouy Wal out of St. Mary’s High School of Calgary. Wal also played with the Calgary Storm club team as did guard Nya Matuet, who was offered a roster spot.
Two other players — six-foot-one Erin Wiersma of Central Alberta Christian High School of Lacombe and five-foot-10 Michelle Steeves out of St. Mary’s College in Calgary — were also offered spots.
All the top players attended the top 25 camp Saturday after 60 players were on hand Friday.
“There was a lot of interest and what exciting for me is that there’s more and more players coming up in Central Alberta,” said Smyth. “It’s an ideal situation to get the best players out of Central Alberta.”
Smyth invited a number of Grade 10 and 11 players from the area to Friday’s camp, and two members of the zone champion Hunting Hills Lightning — Brittani Blake and Teighan Ponto — impressed Saturday.
“There was a lot of talent on hand Saturday and those two fit right in,” said Smyth, who is excited about next season already.
“We have a lot of talent coming in, plus for the first time we’ll have a fourth-year player (Lauren Loyek). We’ve never had that kind of maturity before which makes a big difference.”
The Queens will have third-year inside player Jessica Foley and possibly guard Megan Ivancic back along with second-year forward Courtney Loyek and point guard Karlen Majcher.
Stephanie Tremblay, who joined the team at Christmas last year after playing with the Queens soccer team, will return and play both sports.
“She adds a lot to the team, with her enthusiasm and leadership,” said Smyth, who is also hoping to have assistant coach Janine Day back for a second year along with Cherish Esau.
Day took a leave of absence from her high school in Ontario to work with the program and is hoping to spent another year here.
“She helps our program a lot and helps take a big load off my shoulders,” said Smyth.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com