A strong preseason and an opening night road win have given the Concordia Stingers women’s basketball players lots of reasons for optimism as they get ready to play their first RSEQ conference home game of the season on Thursday night.
The Stingers posted a 7-5 win-loss record in exhibition play. They played a couple of top-ranked teams tough and won the Waterloo Naismith Tournament on Oct. 14. Though Concordia head coach Keith Pruden does not like predicting the future, he is optimistic about his team’s chances this season.
“In terms of talent, I think this is one of the best teams I’ve ever had,” he said. “I think we are certainly good enough to win (the RSEQ) this year, but whether or not we will is a different question. I’ve been doing this long enough to know all sorts of things can happen that you have no control over.”
The 2012-13 version of the Stingers features a few new faces, including Marilyse Roy-Viau and Richelle Gregoire. They are tall, athletic first-year players out of Dawson College that Pruden is relying on this season. The pair combined for 25 points, eight rebounds and eight steals in a 77-72 win over the UQAM Citadins in the team’s RSEQ opener last week.
There are key veterans to watch as well. Kaylah Barrett, the third-year all-Canadian guard, has been impressive so far, despite battling injuries. She scored 21 points against UQAM last week. Her performance, leadership and health are critical to the team’s success.
Barrett and fourth-year point guard Ashley Clarke are team captains and two players Pruden is relying on heavily.
“Being two of our most accomplished and veteran players we will be looking to them a lot on and off the court,” said Pruden. “In Kaylah’s case, specifically, it’s hard not to have high expectations of someone who was a first-team all-Canadian. She’s battled some injuries so she hasn’t always been putting up those huge numbers, but she’s that player who gives you the clutch play when you need it.”
Last season the McGill Martlets finished first in Quebec with 11 wins and five losses, while the Stingers finished in second place with an 8-8 record. This year the RSEQ is open for the taking.
“It’s a balanced conference again,” said Pruden. “The teams are all different from last year, but I think we are looking at a situation this season where anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”
Concordia will host the Laval Rouge et Or on Thursday at the Concordia gym. The game gets under way at 6 p.m.
