(Halifax, N.S.) - Women’s basketball head coach Anna Stammberger is pleased to announce the commitment of Ashley Jackson and Claire Hickman to the Tigers 2016-17 roster.
Ashley Jackson comes to the Tigers after two seasons with the London Ramblers of the Junior Women’s Elite League (JUEL) of Ontario, helping them to a second place league finish at the end of the 2014-15 season. During her time in the JUEL, she was twice named to the All-Academic team and received the Dunbar Medical Community Service Award last season.
A native of Chatham, Ontario, Jackson also played three seasons on the John McGregor Secondary School girls basketball team, leading them to two city and one regional championship titles. This past season, she joined the boys team as there weren’t enough girls to field a girls team, helping the Panthers to a city championship to end her high school career. Jackson was named the junior athlete of the year at the end of the 2013-14 season and was the academic athlete of the year last season in addition to receiving the school’s citizenship award.
“I am very excited about coming to Dalhousie and being a part of the Tigers basketball program,” says Jackson. “I really felt at home when I visited the campus and the coaching staff and players were very welcoming. I’m looking forward to playing university basketball while getting an education from one of the top universities in the country.”
The recipient of proficiency awards in grades nine through 11, Jackson earned a Dalhousie Chancellor’s Scholarship and will begin her studies in medical sciences this fall.
“Ashely is an outstanding student-athlete and leader in her community and will be a great fit for Dalhousie and the Tigers,” says Stammberger. “She will give us much-needed depth at the point guard position and we welcome her into our program.”
Claire Hickman joins the Tigers lineup after a stellar season with the Waterford Valley High School (formerly Bishops College) Warriors. Hickman helped lead the Warriors to wins at four tournaments this season, including the School Sports of Newfoundland and Labrador (NSSNL) 4A Tier 1 provincial championship. An all-star and MVP of the Keith Keating Memorial Tournament last fall, Hickman earned all-star nods during both the 2014 and 2015 Sweet 16 provincial championships. She was also selected as her school’s female athlete of the year in 2013.
A 6’1 forward, Hickman has played provincial team basketball since 2013.
“I am very excited to be able to attend such a highly-regarded university,” says Hickman. “To be a part of the Tigers is a dream come true and I’m looking forward to contributing to the team.”
A native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Hickman has been accepted to Dalhousie’s arts program.
“Claire is a long, 6'1 post player who runs the floor well and can have an immediate impact on defence,” says Stammberger. “We look forward to working with her to improve her strength and get her ready to play CIS basketball.”
The Tigers earned a playoff position last season and will look to move up the standings in the 2016-17 season.