New Season About To Begin For VReds Womenâ??s Basketball Team

With apologies to Led Zeppelin, the song rarely remains the same when it comes to university athletics. It’s not any different with the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds women’s basketball team. It’s not last year, it’s not the year before, it’s not 1988.

It’s right here, right now.

“Turnover is part of life at the university level and you’re constantly recruiting to ensure you have a competitive team in an incredibly competitive conference,” said UNB head coach Jeff Speedy. “I’m not kidding that you recruit 365 days a year. If you don’t, your program will fall behind. We knew our needs going into this year and we’ve brought some very talented new players into the program. The goal, of course, is to mesh those new players with returning players”

And the curtain is ready to pull up to unveil the UNB Varsity Reds 2011-12 edition that will battle in the always tough, always challenging Atlantic University Sport conference.

As admirable and as tenacious as last year’s version of the VReds were, there is a bit of a roster overhaul for Speedy, his coaching staff and the charges who will play in front of him.

Speedy, entering his sixth season with UNB, has never had a season without AUS standout Amanda Sharpe on his roster. Leah Corby, the three-point specialist and veteran calming influence, has also graduated.

Massively critical components to UNB’s outstanding and memorable 2010-11, it’s time for others to step up. Step up in a state of the art facility, too.

It was 70 years of memories that were commemorated last winter with the last game played at The Pit, or the antiquated Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium that UNB court teams used to call home. Now, it’s the brand-spanking new Richard Currie Center, ready to receive its deserved oohs and aahs when the folks come streaming through the doors to watch UNB women’s basketball.

Who will they see wearing UNB’s red and black? A mix of returning players, a dash of new talent and the hope the mixing bowl will produce stalwart efforts from rookies a year ago who have matured in the understanding of what it takes to be successful at the AUS and Canadian Interuniversity Sport level.

“It is an incredible transition for young players to leave their high school programs and perhaps leave their homes for the first time,” said Speedy. “Juggling academics and commitment to excellence can be overwhelming. If you make the adjustments, the second year and beyond becomes more familiar. It never becomes easier in our conference, but the understanding of what it takes to compete and what it takes to win does become clearer.”

One of those players who made a seamless transition from high school to the CIS ranks was sharpshooting Claire Colborne. She wowed local fans and opponents alike with her ability to make key shots despite heavy coverage. Colborne was named AUS rookie of the year for 2011-12 and will be play a key role in UNB’s production this season.

Veteran Megan Corby is back with her bag of tricks based on high-energy speed, court vision and emotion to lead the backcourt. Emma Russell, the pride of Grand Manan, will be counted on heavily to chew up minutes in lieu of Sharpe’s graduation, providing the grunt work under the basket. Other returning players include Melissa Foster and her work ethic, and Jordanne Holstein, someone Coach Speedy states is “ready to have a very big year”. Sam Kaminsky, Virginia Peters, Danielle Scime, and Tamara Tompkins also will be given a chance to have an impact on the court this season,

The VReds were dealt a tough blow earlier this summer when veteran sharpshooter Laura Fowler injured her knee and has been involved in a rehabilitation program since early summer. Best case scenario is a return by Christmas. Worst case scenario is she won’t play this year.

“Our veterans need to know just how much they need to step up this year,” said Speedy. “We promote teamwork within our program and this year, we need to ensure all hands are on deck. We had valuable players in Amanda and Leah last year who found a way sometimes to take control of a game all by themselves with the different aspects they brought to the court. The injury to Laura was devastating for us and, of course, for her because she desperately wanted to play a leadership role this season. Our players need to buy in with the team concept. Some players are going to find themselves in different roles and they know that and have accepted what’s expected of them. There’s a lot of excitement getting back on the court.”

New additions to the VReds this year include Sam Wilson, Allie Chalk, Rachel Cleary, Katelynn Carver and Colleen Daly. Tilly Ettinger will redshirt this season.

Cleary and Daly bring interesting mixes to the program.

Cleary is a five-foot-11 post brings a mixture of defensive prowess and physical play to the VReds. “Rachel is a very good defender who will add some rebounding and toughness to our lineup,” said Speedy. “She loves to mix it up and will do whatever it takes to help her team be success. She plays hard all the time. We can't wait for her to get out there and battle with us on the court.”

Daly is a five-foot-five guard, who loves the three point game, “Colleen is a winner who has played for a very good coach and high school program,” said Speedy. “She can really shoot the three and loves to defend. She can play some point guard as well. Colleen may have been overlooked because of her height, but we believe she can contribute at this level right away and in many ways.”

Carver is the latest AUS player out of the Halifax Thunder club program. “She had an outstanding career with the Thunder program and we're very excited to land Katelynn,” Speedy said. “Not only is she our first recruit out of Nova Scotia, but she is a very good basketball player. She can play the No. 3 or No. 4 position, but would be a three at our level. Katelynn is athletic, skilled and works extremely hard. She has a bright future and we're pleased it's going to be with us.”

All of the components will come together in game situations pretty quickly. The Accreon Helen Campbell tournament will be Oct. 7 to 9 at the Currie Center before the team hits the road the following weekend to participate in a tournament in Kamloops, B.C.

“It’s all coming together and the lineups we’ve penciled together for the past few months will become reality on game sheets pretty soon,” said Speedy. “There’s a lot of work to be done and our program is certainly looking forward to showcasing our team at the Currier Center. It’s going to be such a difference to play and practice in that facility, but the game remains the same wherever you play. You have to compete and work hard to get better every day.”