Women's Basketball brings in skilled shooter

If you watched any of the NCAA March Madness tournament, you know how important perimeter shooting is to the success of a team.
It’s obviously important to be able to rebound and score points from the paint as well, but being able to shoot a three pointer, or hit a long distance basket is key and the Nipissing Lakers women’s basketball team seems to have secured that aspect of their game with the signing of Maeve Therriault.

Therriault was a member of the Glebe Collegiate Institute under former CIS coach and all-star Alex Overwijck this past season. Led by Therriault, Glebe made it to the National Capital City semi-finals in the 2013 high school season and were one win away from representing the NCSSAA at AAAA OFSAA.

Lakers head coach Marg Jones said she sees Therriault as an offensive catalyst for her team next season.

“Maeve is a great competitor who brings outstanding shooting and offensive skills to our program. She will make an immediate impact on the floor,” Jones said. “Maeve comes from a highly successful high school program, where she has been coached by Carleton University assistant coach and former JUEL Ottawa Head coach Dave Malowski, and former CIS head coach Alex Overwijck. The quality of coaching that she has received is evident in her game. She has a great knowledge of the game and knows what it takes to compete on a daily basis.” 

As a Grade 10 student, under Malowski, Therriault played for the senior team at Glebe and was part of the championship team that represented the National Capital region at OFSAA.

Currently Therriault is a stand out shooting guard and one of the top defenders with the Ottawa Capitals of the Ontario JUEL league. She has been the team's most consistent scorer in the past two tournaments. This is her second season with the Ottawa JEUL team as she made the team as a Grade 11 student as well.

Previously Therriault's club basketball included three years with the Ottawa shooting stars and one season with the Ottawa Guardsman.

Therriault said she’s excited about contributing to the team’s success in the first season and she’s looking forward to being part of history at Nipissing.

“I am very excited to join the Lakers and this first ever team. I am looking forward to contributing to the team’s growing success and being a part of history for the university and North Bay,” she said. “I am a shooting guard. I am a dedicated, determined player who believes in hard work and putting the team first.”

Therriault knows there will be challenges for both herself and her team next year as they enter the OUA, but she’s excited about tackling the challenges ahead together as a program.

She said regardless of the situation, score or who they’re playing, the Lakers will see the same style from Therriault every time she hits the court.

“I will bring energy and a never-give-up attitude every time I step on the court for the Lakers. I am looking forward to the development, both personally and as a team next year, and being challenged by top-level teams in the OUA,” she said.

Jones is excited to add a player of this skill level, and this style, noting how important it is to have different types of players in the lineup – both inside and perimeter players, both strong defensive players and scorers.

Therriault provides the offensive side of things, but is no slouch defensively either, as she has often been asked to guard the other team’s top players.

That combination will allow Jones to use Therriault in every situation.

“Maeve is a great shooter and has very good understanding of spacing and positioning on the floor. Her success is defined by her love of the game and her willingness to put in the extra work required,” Jones said. “Maeve never misses the chance to work in her game. She is committed.”

Jones is thrilled to add Therriault, which now makes four committed players who will suit up for the Lakers next season.

The four she has signed provide different elements to the team, all of which are needed to be successful at the OUA/CIS level.

“We have announced four players and will have three more announcements to make in the coming weeks,” Jones explained. “I am very pleased with how our team is coming together. We will have a nice mix of leadership, experience, enthusiasm and skill.”