Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
WEIGHING HER OPTIONS 鈥� Nathalie Gionet looks for a way around a defender at a women's basketball scrimmage Sunday (top). DETERMINED 鈥� Diedre Davidson drives to the hoop during a scrimmage at Vanier Catholic Secondary School.
After losing last season due to a lack of numbers, the Whitehorse Women's Basketball League is raring to get started.
After losing last season due to a lack of numbers, the Whitehorse Women's Basketball League is raring to get started.
A surge in player numbers will allow the league to once again dress three to four teams after a core group of players spent last season playing informal pick-up games.
"Last year we didn't have a very strong league,鈥� organizer Diedre Davidson explained. "We didn't have enough to make two teams. We just did drop-in all year.
"Last year, we did have a bit of a lull in interest, and it could have been because of pregnancies and just other things on the go, maybe a lack of advertising, so this year we did do some more advertising and there is a lot more interest.鈥�
Davidson said it's exciting to see the numbers come back.
"In the past, we've had four teams and a really strong league, but it ebbs and flows and it's hard to say any given year where we'll be in the ebb or the flow. This year it looks like we have enough players to do at least three, if not four teams.鈥�
Regular season play is scheduled to begin Oct. 28.
Games are held at Vanier Catholic Secondary School.
Interested players can still get involved prior to the last preseason scrimmage Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.
"That's when we'll be making teams,鈥� Davidson said.
The season and playoff tournamnent run until spring break, and could see game action 鈥� two 20 minute halves 鈥� one or two times a week.
Davidson said players enjoy the camaraderie and getting some exercise playing the sport they love.
"It is competitive, but it's also accessible and fun,鈥� she said.
This year, the league organized several free "skills and drills鈥� sessions to give former players a chance to shake the rust of their game.
An hour of drills was followed by an hour-long scrimmage.
"There was some interested people that had requested from the executive that we do a skills and drills, much like women's hockey,鈥� said Davidson.
"I think it was pretty well-received. It was a good way to get people back into playing basketball.鈥�
She said the league has seen as many as 10 new faces out at their preseason scrimmages.
"I think we're seeing a decent amount of new faces, and that should help.鈥�
For more information, check out wwbball.wordpress.com.
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