CWOSSA Alums: Cvrkalj Receives Scholar Athlete Award; Achonwa Picked 9th in WNBA Draft

Cvrkalj Named Scholar Athlete Award Winner
Stefan Cvrkalj (Bluevale CI '11), who just finished up his junior year at Lehigh University (NCAA D1) in Bethlehem, PA, was named as Lehigh's Scholar-Athlete Award Winner during their annual awards banquet recently.

According to the release, "As an Accounting major, he owns a cumulative GPA of 3.81. Cvrkalj has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll every year. He has also excelled on the court, playing in 23 games last season and averaging 4.5 points per game. Cvrkalj scored 14 second-half points at both Navy and vs. Bucknell to lead the Mountain Hawks to key Patriot League wins."

Achonwa Selected 9th Overall by Indiana Fever
Despite a torn ACL that will force her to miss the entire 2014 season, Guelph native Natalie Achonwa was selected 9th overall in the WNBA draft earlier this week.

Achonwa was selected by the Indiana Fever, meaning that those who followed her career at Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana) will be able to keep tabs on her at the professional level, as well.

Achonwa averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists for Notre Dame this past season, prior to being injured in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Women's Tournament.  Notre Dame eventually lost in the national championship game to UConn.

"I was just ecstatic that a team took that chance on me on being hurt and not being able to play this season, that they really had faith that I would come back in 2015 and be able to improve and help their team," said Achonwa in an interview with the Guelph Mercury.

The Record: Grand River's Teny Wins Moser Award

Photo via Twitter; @ThalerMade

Article By:  Mark Bryson

WATERLOO — He is one of the hardest working players in Waterloo Region, a vocal leader who pushes his teammates to be the best they can be.
                          

But when Grand River Renegades head coach Tolly Henderson is asked about Chuder Teny's greatest on-court strength, it's his single-handed ability to take over a game that impresses him most.

                          

"He's just an explosive scorer. When he gets on a roll, I don't want to say he's unstoppable, but he can put up big numbers very quickly, and that frees up space for the rest of the team," said Henderson.

"I still don't think he gets the recognition he deserves, but that's changing."

                          

Teny's recognition level received a significant boost on Wednesday night when he was named this year's winner of the Mike Moser Memorial Award as the most valuable player in the Waterloo County senior boys basketball league. The announcement was made during halftime of the WCSSAA boys-girls all-star doubleheader at Waterloo Collegiate Institute.

                          

The Moser award caps a memorable season for Teny, a fifth-year guard who led the Renegades to a berth in the WCSSAA final and a strong showing at the Central Western Ontario championship. He scored a season-high 37 points against the Galt Ghosts in January and scored 20-plus points in nine of 12 WCSSAA regular-season games.

                          

"It's a great honour. I didn't expect to get this but I did put in a lot of work this year, so it's a great feeling," Teny said while clutching his Moser plaque. "It's a great achievement, obviously. Only one player wins it every year and to do it in my final high school game is special."

                          

In addition to being a standout basketball player, Teny is one of the most popular students at Grand River because of his upbeat demeanour and ever-present smile.

                           

"He's just so happy-go-lucky and I've never heard anyone say anything negative about the guy in the five years I've known him. He popular with both teachers and students," said Henderson.

                          

Teny, who came to Canada from Sudan in 2001, is also something of a star in the classroom.

                          

After spending his first-year at Grand River in the fast-forward program that helps students make the transition from the classroom to the workplace, he is now taking university level courses and posting impressive grades.

                          

Several Canadian university basketball programs have expressed an interest in Teny, who hopes to continue his studies and playing career at a post-secondary school.

                          

Teny's award comes just a week after his cousin, Tesloth Simon of the St. Mary's Eagles, captured his second consecutive MVP award in the District 8 league.

 

Retrieved From:  http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/4445047-grand-river-s-teny-wins-moser-award/

GoKnights.ca: Women's Basketball Add Courtney Banham

Photo Courtesy Niagara College Athletics

Retrieved From:  http://goknights.ca/sports/wbkb/2013-14/releases/201403286eazro

The Niagara College department of athletics & recreation is pleased to announce the addition of Courtney Banham to the women's basketball program. Banham attended Waterloo Collegiate Institute and competed as a member of Ontario Basketball Association's KW Lightning.

Niagara College women's basketball head coach Mike Becarria commented "Courtney projects as a talented shooting guard for us. She has good shooting mechanics, a great work ethic, and is exceptionally competitive. She will be a strong addition to our program."

The five-foot-eight Banham will bring the Knights experience and athleticism beginning in September of 2014. The Waterloo native added that her reason for electing to pursue a post-secondary education at Niagara College included "the team and the people. Everyone around the women's basketball program has been great, and the atmosphere and education just seemed right to me."

The Knights will graduate two key members of their 2013-14 back court in second-team OCAA all-star Tara Giallonardo and veteran Katie Beaucock. Looking to fill the void left by the departure of his experienced guards, the recruitment of Banham was a 'key focus' said Beccaria.

Banham will enroll in the Niagara College pre-health sciences program, but has the goal of graduating from multiple Niagara College programs in years to come. She continued "I want to succeed in my program right away, and transition that success into the college's Dental Hygiene program down the road."

The Knights enjoyed a strong season in 2013-14, finishing with a record of 11-7. Banham continued "on the court, my goal is to grow as a player and I feel like Coach Becarria can help me achieve that. I really want to help build on the team's success."