by Cody Baugh
It is somewhat of a transition year for the Dalhousie women’s basketball team that welcomes six new players to their roster. Expectations for the Tigers are low with the first ever pre-season coaches’ poll voting for the Tigers to finish last in the AUS with 10 points.
The Tigers made it to the semifinals of the AUS championship last season after being the second ranked team in the regular season.
The loss of the reigning CIS scoring champion, Courtney Thompson will definitely have a big impact on the team but don’t write the Tigers off yet. In the first two weekends of the 2015-2016 AUS season the ladies were able to split a two-game series with the UNB Varsity Reds, a projected top three team and claimed victory in their two-game series with Memorial this past weekend.
The Tigers have lost some big pieces and will likely have to rely on fifth year all-star Tessa Stammberger to carry them along until the new recruits can get familiarized with AUS tempo. Stammberger was the Tigers go-to offensive threat outside of Thompson last year and is filling her shoes nicely so far this season.
In just four games, Stammberger is averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. The secondary scoring should come along as the season matures but for now it looks like Stammberger will have no problem carrying the team offensively.
Coach Anna Stammberger, Tessa’s mother said, “we just need some time to work things out, most AUS teams are returning there starting five.”
Outside of Tessa the Tigers best offensive threats are Shalyn Field and Ainsley MacIntrye. If either player can start to put up consistent numbers, the Tigers will be a tough team to cover defensively. Stammberger has proven to be a threat from everywhere, with the ability to hit from deep and deliver points in the paint.
In a year that is more focused on development then an AUS championship, Coach Stammberger says she is willing utilize a full bench and give a variety of players a chance to prove themselves on the court.
We may not see the Tigers in the AUS championship this season but as the team starts to gel, it is possible to see the Tigers make a late push for a playoff position.
The Tigers will spend the rest of the first half of the season on the road, heading to Saint Mary’s this Wednesday, followed by two four-point games at Acadia and StFX before the holiday break.