After a short holiday break, the Concordia Stingers women’s basketball team will be back in action hosting the prestigious eight-team Reebok basketball tournament at Concordia gym Dec. 28-30.
The tournament will feature a very strong draw that includes three teams ranked in the CIS Top 10 – the Regina Cougars ranked second in Canada, the No. 5 Alberta Pandas and the No. 8 Memorial Sea-Hawks.
“The two teams from out West are impressive,” says Concordia assistant coach Rastko Popovic. “They’re just huge. They can run. They can shoot. Both teams are extremely deep.”
Although unranked, two strong opponents from Ontario will compete. The McMaster Marauders boast a 7-3 win-loss record and hold down second place in the OUA West conference. The 6-3 Carleton Ravens are in first place in the OUA East.
Also joining the host Stingers at the tournament are the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds and the McGill Martlets.
The schedule for the first day is as follows:
- Memorial vs. McGill – 2 p.m.
- McMaster vs. Regina – 4 p.m.
- UNB vs. Alberta – 6 p.m.
- Carleton vs. Concordia – 8 p.m.
Once again this year, CIS women's basketball programs will raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through regular season games, exhibition matches, tournaments or special projects. Part of the proceeds from the Concordia-Reebok tournament will be donated 2008-’09 Shoot for the Cure campaign.
Last year a cheque for $50,320.87 was presented at March's CIS championship in Saskatoon.
"We have a goal this year of raising $100,000," said UNB head coach and Shoot for the Cure co-ordinator Jeff Speedy. "We are very proud of what we were able to accomplish a year ago and have big plans for the 2009."
