The Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team are headed for the national stage after taking home gold in the Ontario College Athletics Association championship on March 8.
The team is looking to earn Fanshawe’s first national championship win in franchise history.
Entering the provincial playoffs on the bottom seed, the Falcons downed the two tournament favorites from Humber College and Mohawk College.
“We were playing with a chip on our shoulder, with something to prove, and we proved it.”, said third-year guard Edith Eseme.
Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team’s third-year guard, Edith Eseme. (XFM | Laura Carlit
The provincial gold medal win marks the first time in six years that Fanshawe reached the podium at the OCAA championship.
Heading to the national tournament, Eseme said she’s planning to stay focused and will put her faith in the team’s coaching staff.
Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team head coach, Bill Carriere (XFM| Laura Carlit)
“This is going to be exciting. This is against teams we’ve never seen before”, said head coach Bill Carriere.
The coach outlined their training plan to prepare for the national stage.
“We’re going to keep it intense, but fun. I think it’s important to keep that mentality up and the joy of it because it’s been a long season for them.”
Layla Mackenzie receiving her tournament MVP award at the OCAA championship finals. (fanshawefalcons.ca| Jack Said)
Among the standout players from the provincial finals was Layla Mackenzie, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
“We had a very high level of play on the weekend so I think just maintaining that and keeping it going is the way to win,” said Mackenzie, recapping their last game.
Reaching nationals has been extra special for the Falcons, as it will be the first time anyone on the team has stepped into the national stage.
“The reason we got here was because everyone just wanted it so badly,” said Mackenzie.
The team is now headed for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championship in Montreal, on March 18 – 21.
