By Kirk Jessome
With continued improvement in recent years, the Tigers women’s basketball team looked to continue their upward trajectory into the AUS playoffs once again this season.
The lone senior on the Tigers roster was fifth-year Chelsea Slawter-Wright who was the second leading scorer for the team averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Splitting time with Slawter-Wright at the point guard position was Ariel Provo, who was averaging 2.7 assists before her season ended early due to injury.
At the top of the scoring list was rookie Chloe Wilson who averaged 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in her first season with the Tigers. She took on a large role at both ends of the floor, logging the second most minutes on the team while playing the part of Floor General in the zone defence.
The Tigers roster was rounded out with a strong group of young developing players including Emily Holt, Lia Kentzler, and rookies Morgan Gause and Nalini Maharaj, who all played key roles during the season.
The Tigers started off their season with a 72-67 win over StFX but went through a string of losses before managing to find another win once again over the X-Women, this time on the road.
After finishing eighth in the conference in points scored and assists, and the most turnovers per game, ball control was a bit of an issue for the Tigers offence. The team’s defence was enough to keep them in most games, but the scoring wasn’t there consistently enough with 30% shooting on the season.
A few untimely injuries both in the preseason and the midway point also contributed to a lack of productivity on the offensive end. That scoring drought led the Tigers to a 2-18 record to end the season, falling short of berth in the AUS playoffs.
Chloe Wilson was named to the AUS all-rookie team after averaging 7.9 rebounds per game, good for fourth in the conference.
Looking toward next year’s preparations, head coach Anna Stammberger attributed a portion of the team’s performance to the preseason work for this one.
“There was a lack of general fitness due partially to a lack of preparation and injury in the preseason. We’ll need to improve fitness and get in the gym for reps to finish at the rim better in game situations.”
With another summer of development for a very young roster and some additions through the 2020 recruiting class, the Tigers are sure to come back next season much improved and ready to make a run at the playoffs once again.