At this time a year ago the Algonquin Thunder women’s basketball team was still smarting from a dreadful 4-10 season. Now, after finishing the regular season 15-1, the team is getting primed to leave a mark next year.

Despite an early end to the season coach John McInnis expects big things from the team going forward.
“We will again want to prove that we are one of the teams to beat in the OCAA,” said McInnis.

The Thunder tied George Brown College for first place in the eastern conference this season, but lost in the first round of the OCAA championships to western team Fanshawe.

McInnis hopes the loss drives his team forward next season.

“I strongly believe it will motivate our returning players for next season,” he said. “Sometimes you need to experience a tough defeat before you can win a big game.”

Algonquin had seven players getting their first taste of OCAA basketball this season, with several of them becoming key cogs in the machine that rolled to success.

Sandre Bascoe was named the OCAA rookie of the year, while Mercedes Moodie received the East Division Defensive Player of the Year honour. These players, along with other stalwarts like Dayna Dover and Trish Grey, should keep the Thunder competitive in the coming years.

Sarah Miller was a veteran on the team, and will be one of several returning players to compete next year. She thinks the team will only get better.

“I think coming off a season like this one, we have a lot more faith in what we can do,” she said. “We have a lot of players coming back so we gain that history of a full season playing together.

“We are a good group of girls and a strong team,” she continued. “I am hopeful we will be one of the main teams to beat next year.”