The Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team is surpassing expectations as they advance to the CCAA gold medal game, which will be screened Saturday (tonight) at 7:30 p.m. at Forwell Hall.
They started off their run winning the OCAA championship where they ended the regular season with a 11-5 record. They had wins over Centennial, Seneca, Mohawk and then in the finals they beat a notoriously tough Humber team.
Head Coach Bill Carriere says it’s such a surreal feeling his team is having on this deep run.
Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team head coach, Bill Carriere (XFM| Laura Carlit)
“We were underdogs going into provincial championships and winning those two games there was absolutely amazing. Then coming to nationals as an underdog, never being seeded, it really is surreal for us,” says Carriere.
In the national tournament, they had wins over Douglas and Dawson with them facing VIU for the finals. If they secure the win against VIU this will be the first women’s national title in program history.
Although playing back-to-back games keeps the team prepared, they are super grateful for the day off prior to the gold medal game.
“We have girls logging a lot of minutes. So today is wonderful to have this rest for our players and coaches. It also gives us time to scout our opponents for the big game,” Carriere says
Defensive Player of the Year Ashlyn Anderson led the Falcons last game with a 31 point 26 rebound 10 block triple double which helped secure a 89-78 overtime win. Guard Edith Eseme came off the bench and had 19 points. In overtime the Falcons out scored Dawson 13-2.
Carriere is so proud of his team and the hard work they’ve done this season.
Ashlyn Anderson shooting a shot mid game (Via Ashlyn Anderson)
“It’s incredible. I don’t know how to even express how proud I am of these girls. They deserve so much credit.”The game is tonight at 7:30 p.m. You can watch via the ccaalive.ca/womens-basketball website which has a $14.99 fee. Or you can watch the game at Forwell Hall at Fanshawe.
