The University of Waterloo women's basketball team has added a pair of recruits out of the District 8 league, according to Head Coach Tyler Slipp.
All-star guard Jacqui Rodrigues (Resurrection) and centre Natashya Stoyakovich (St. Mary's) are the latest additions to a roster that is looking to take a big jump forward after a 1-21 season a year ago. To be fair, 13 of 14 players on the Warriors' 11-12 roster were either in their 1st or 2nd year of school, by far the least experienced roster in the OUA.
Rodrigues and Stoyakovich will join several other CWOSSA notables at Waterloo, including Erin Robbins (Cameron Heights '11), Laura Burnett (Rockway '10), Mackenzie Lougheed (Owen Sound West Hill '10) and Sam McIntyre (Bluevale '10).
Bird Returns to Centre-Wellington
After a year at REDA in Orangeville, 6'8" F Braewyn Bird will return to Centre Wellington DHS in Fergus this year, his 4th year of high school.
Bird was a key member of the CWDHS squad that advanced to junior CWOSSA (AAAA) back in 2011, and his return to the Falcons will be welcomed with several key players from last year's senior team (e.g., Reid Goindi) having now graduated.
Saints Invitational To Expand?
According to an e-mail that I received, it looks like the massive 32-team St. Benedict Saints Invitational, held annually in January, is set to expand.
Already a 32-team senior draw, the tournament is set to add a 16-team junior bracket to the fold, bringing the total number of teams playing hoops in Cambridge that weekend to a whopping 48 clubs --- which is great news for area service industries, given that many clubs come from out of town for this one.
Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but with the great job that John Malnerich and company do putting on this event (down to the TV coverage for the championship evening), I'm sure it will be another well-run weekend featuring some excellent basketball.
