2017 - 2018 Season Preview
With 8 returning players from last year's team, the expectations are high for the Rustlers Women's Basketball team. The 8 returning players are led by 5th years Kellsey Sinnett and Shania Magnusson, 4th year Anna Mbuyi and 3rd year Taiya Paylor, each of whom brings something important to the team. Rustlers Head Coach Chris King said "Sinnett will be looked to for leadership, regardless of whether of how much she plays. Magnusson will provide an inside presence, Mybui an aggressiveness and athleticism on both ends of the court, and Paylor a threat from 3 point range." These four, along with other returners Angela Baran, Ally Pilgram, Emma Smallwood and Meg Ferraz, finished last season on a strong note and have bonded as a team.
Joining the 8 returning players this year are 8 rookies, 3 of whom are transfers from either U Sport or ACAC teams. "The 3 transfers all have the skills to play a big part of the team's success" King said of transfers Bailey Johnson, Brianne Hergott and Kaitlyn Tonita. Bailey is coming from the University of Saskatchewan volleyball team where she was a red shirt last season, Hergott is transferring from Lethbridge College where she palyed 2 years of basketball and Kaitlyn Tonita is a transfer from the University of Regina were she red shirted with the basketball team last season.
"Bailey and Bri both add length to the team" King said, "Bailey is also extremely athletic and Bri is a good inside presence that will be a good counterbalance to Mangusson. Kaitlyn is a knowledgeable and experienced player, with the talent to be a threat and contributor at both ends of the court." Rustlers Head Coach Chris King is also impressed with what he has seen from the rookies so far. "The rookies can compete" claimed King, "some of the girls we have brought in are going to be in the rotation and looked towards to provide scoring, rebounding and make an impact on the court."
While preseason games have yet to begin, King already has set high expectations for the team. "We should be one of the top teams in the North" King said, "the expectations are high, but it will take the team awhile to come together on the court. We are focusing on a different style of play than we have in the past. We are making improvements; we just aren't at the level we need to be at yet."