Lethbridge - With increased expectations heading into the 2013-14 season, the Lethbridge Pronghorns women's basketball team took a slight stumble last season, missing the post-season for the fourth consecutive year with a 6-16 record, after narrowly missing the playoff dance a year earlier.
The 2014-15 Canada West season opens this weekend, with the 'Horns traveling to Brandon to face the Bobcats. The 'Horns and Bobcats hit the floor Friday and Saturday night with tip-off going at 6:00pm and 5:00pm CST respectively. Both games will also be webcast on
http://canadawest.tv.
Returning for her final season, superstar post Kim Veldman will be once again be leaned on heavily this season. In only four seasons, Veldman became the Pronghorns all-time leading rebounder last season and was named a Canada West second team all-star.
During her all-star season, Veldman recorded nine double-doubles en route to being the conference's third leading scorer (18.7 ppg) and second leading rebounder (9.8 rpg).
Outside of Veldman, the Pronghorns will be one of the youngest teams in the conference and have limited experience at the CIS level, but the outlook for the sophomores and college transfers are bright.
American junior college transfer Allexia Barros joins the 'Horns from Rhode Island Community College and looks to bring the Pronghorns a dynamic guard with the ability to take some of the scoring pressure off Veldman. In two seasons in Rhode Island the New Bedford, Massachusetts native poured in 988 points, becoming the programs second all-time leading scorer.
After seeing significant playing time as freshmen, the expectations on Mariah Miller and Sara Simovic will be increased. The progression of Zoe Dahl has been a pleasant surprise, while ACAC transfer Kaitlin Bracko will be counted on the make a quick transition to the CIS game.
The Bobcats women's basketball team is coming off its most successful season in 30 years, and this year's squad hopes to continue that trend of improving and moving up the Canada West standings.
Following a tough three-year conference winless stretch, last year's version of the 'Cats snapped a couple of dubious skids, beginning with the team's first road win against UNBC which also led to the team's first winning streak in years thanks to a 80-72 double OT win over Mount Royal.
Coach Novell Thomas and his team followed that up with big wins over Manitoba, UBC Okanagan and Lethbridge, and some real close games to Thompson Rivers, Winnipeg and Calgary. The improvement from the past few seasons was in the team's record, and now the Bobcats will look to roll that into 2014-15.
Last year's conference leading scorer Cassie Cooke left the team to pursue professional opportunities, and last year's starting centre in Jaynell Gillett will not return after exhausting her eligibility.
Returning starters Aleah Bridges, Kaela Cranston and Stephanie Haynes will log a lot of playing time as younger players and newcomers adapt to the speed and skill of the CIS game, but the Bobcats feature the deepest bench the team has seen in years.
The 'Horns will return home next weekend for their home opening weekend, hosting the Winnipeg Wesmen.
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