That's a Wrap - Lakeland Rustlers Basketball
Women's Basketball
After the high of the greatest year in program history, the Lakeland Rustlers Women's Basketball team endured a dash of adversity in 2022/2023.
Following the ACAC title and CCAA bronze medal run, Chris King's squad lost several key players, including MVP Tori Dugan (graduated), all-star post Bilge Topaloglu (professional contract in Europe) and Regina guards Jaden Cook and Hailey Sommers (injury). In Sommers case, the injury occurred during preseason, one of several that the team endured over the campaign. However, several key players returned, including budding star Alana Olsen, depth guards Beth Montebon and Sarah Dacuycuy and post Leena Garda. Combo guard Angela Baran returned to the program after leaving in 2020 and the team also had several rookies and transfers join, including first year's Abigail Whitehead and Susan Ayaa.
Following a lengthy exhibition schedule in the fall, the Rustlers opened the season with a sweep of their rival, the NAIT Ooks. However, growing pains with the new roster occurred over the next few weeks, which included a pair of tough losses in Fort McMurray to the Keyano Huskies, a losing homestand against south division teams in early November, a last second loss in Olds against the Broncos and a sweep at the hands of the Augustana Vikings.
One of the bright spots was Olson, who during a four-game stretch averaged more than 15 points and 11 rebounds a game, including a 25 and 11 effort that lead to a win over the RDP Queens.
In January, the lineup began to change and Olson continued to have success, posting a season best 30 points in a win over the NWP Wolves. During this time, the team won four straight games over NWP and the King's Eagles.
Faced with a matchup against the North Division's top team Concordia, the Rustlers played some of their best basketball, winning on the road 63-55 and losing 61-56 at home. However, Olson suffered a concussion, which would be followed by similar injuries to Whitehead and other players on the roster. This forced the team to play without key members for the last two weeks, where they went 2-2 against south division teams that included a two-point loss to the eventual bronze medalist Briercrest Clippers and an OT loss at home to the Ambrose Lions. Ayaa, Baran and Montebon each played key roles in these games, with the 5th year Baran being honoured in the regular season finale.
This placed the Rustlers fourth in the North, where they would host the King's Eagles in a play-in game to get to the Championship. This time around, a pesky Eagles team showed a different level of defence and shot making, leading the Rustlers by five heading into the fourth quarter. Olson and Whitehead, while back, were unable to find their previous form in time for this contest. A furious burst of offence in the fourth from guards Montebon and Baran brought the Rustlers back to a 70-70 tie, but then costly turnovers resulted in the Eagles winning 75-70. King's went on to finish fifth at the Championship.
At the year-end banquet, Olson was named MVP, averaging 14.7 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game and being named to the ACAC 1st Team All-Conference squad, along with earning All-Canadian honours. Rookie of the Year was Ayaa and Most Improved was second year Payton Grindle, with the Rustler award going to second year Anika Timmerman.
Heading into this fall, the Rustlers have the exciting opportunity to build for another run at a National title, as they host the 2024 CCAA Women's Basketball Championship in March. Olson, Montebon, Dacuycuy, Garda, Whitehead and Ayaa are among the returners, with several new recruits on the way and Sommers planning to attend following rehab from her injury. Training camp will hit in the latter half of summer, followed by exhibition play in September.
Men's Basketball
It wouldn't be a normal year without thrills, adversity, drama and ending the season with a win for Rustlers men's basketball.
Head Coach Sheray Thomas came into the fall following their bronze medal win in 2022 with one of the more talented rosters they've had in years. Shaquai Manswell and Michael Shelast helmed the returning core, while the additions of Noah Simpson, Johnny Mims, Abdul Al-Tamimi and others gave them depth at every position.
Following a short exhibition season, the Rustlers started their season on the road, losing a tight opening contest 77-83 to the NAIT Ooks before returning home the next night to win by 10. They rounded out October with a pair of defeats to top ranked Keyano College, their most lopsided losses of the season.
November became much more eventful for the squad. Hosting the multiple defending champion SAIT Trojans, the Rustlers played in a rare Friday afternoon matchup, coming from behind to win 87-82. The following evening, it was another compelling battle with a south squad, as Lakeland defeated St. Mary's University.
Then, the mood shifted after a road trip down south, where the squad lost two in a row. The first semester ended with the team winning two games against the Augustana Vikings, one of which went to overtime.
In January, Al-Tamimi joined the rotation after sitting out the first half. The Rustlers swept the NWP Wolves, had a disappointing split with the King's Eagles, then won six straight games, including a wild comeback win in their season finale against the Lethbridge Kodiaks. Following an altercation between multiple players in the final quarter of the contest, Simpson was ejected from the game, which meant he would sit for the first game of the postseason.
Finishing second in the North Division, Lakeland earned a bye into the Conference Championship and Mims was named ACAC 2nd Team All-Conference in the North Division. In the Quarterfinals, the team faced St. Mary's again, and got off to an early lead in the ball game, but the Lightning came from behind to lead by a possession in the final minute. The Rustlers had multiple chances to tie the game, but weren't able to convert, as St. Mary's went on to win 87-84 and again in the Semifinals to earn a trip to the CCAA tournament.
However, Lakeland responded with a gutsy effort in the next two games, battling against division rivals in the Wolves and Ooks, winning the fifth-place game 83-81.
At the year-end awards banquet, the squad recognized four athletes. Baha Selma was Defensive Player of the Year, Mims the Offensive Player of the Year, Shelast took home the Rustlers Award and had the best academic performance of anyone on the team, while Simpson was named team MVP.
Coach Sheray Thomas called the campaign a solid one, crediting the team's compete level in the second half and adjusting to roster additions.
"It was errors in a couple of major situations that lead to us finishing lower than we wanted to in playoffs, but all in all, it was a good season," he said.
Next year's squad will begin preseason in September, with league games kicking off in mid-October.