The Holland College Hurricanes guard was on the floor last season when Ruth Holland of the Humber Hawks hit a trey for the 50-48 win at the buzzer in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) final. The Hurricanes missed two free throws with eight seconds to play to set up the final shot.
“Those close ones are the hardest because you really know that you had that opportunity and you had that chance,” Slawter-Wright said before last Friday’s practice. “To not get it, when you’re right there, is really hard.”
The Hurricanes have a chance to write a different ending this time around when the nationals begin Thursday in Edmonton.
Slawter-Wright expected to be back this season, but the end of last year cemented that decision.
“I really want to go back again and end with the gold medal this time and I think we can do it,” she said. “It’s exciting to know that we got back there and we have another shot at it.”
She is the only starter back from last year’s silver medal-winning team. However, the Hurricanes didn't rebuild, as much as they retooled.
They added key pieces in Jayla Verney, Darcy Zinck and Tyleigha Nelson during the off-season. Verney was named the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) player of the year while Nelson has provided them the inside presence to complement the skill of the Hurricanes guards.
“They’re a dedicated group. They work hard and as a result they’ve reaped the benefits,” head coach Mike Connolly said. “It’s a different team than last year’s, but it’s just as talented.
“They really want it, so I wouldn't want to be facing Holland College in any of the rounds at the national championship.”
RELATED: Click here for a story on Verney.
At Christmas time the Hurricanes brought in American guard Cassie Cooke, who had twice before led the Canadian Interuniversity Sport in scoring. While having two elite scorers can be a tricky balance for teams, the Hurricanes quickly meshed.
“They realize they complement each other more so than compete with each other,” Connolly said.
The unselfish nature runs through the team.
“Everyone is prepared to give up their shot for a better shot that a teammate might have,” Connolly said.
The Hurricanes enter the eight-team competition as the fifth seed and will play the four-seeded Dawson Blues. Holland College went 17-1 in the regular season and won the conference championship with a 75-64 victory over the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics. It was the Hurricanes third straight ACAA title, and this will be their fourth consecutive trip to nationals. They’ve finished fifth, third and second the last three years.
“There’s only one number left,” Connolly said, of the gold medal they are striving to win. “We’re going to have some fun and we’re going to represent the school and our province with as much class as we can.”
The Holland College Hurricanes guard was on the floor last season when Ruth Holland of the Humber Hawks hit a trey for the 50-48 win at the buzzer in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) final. The Hurricanes missed two free throws with eight seconds to play to set up the final shot.
“Those close ones are the hardest because you really know that you had that opportunity and you had that chance,” Slawter-Wright said before last Friday’s practice. “To not get it, when you’re right there, is really hard.”
The Hurricanes have a chance to write a different ending this time around when the nationals begin Thursday in Edmonton.
Slawter-Wright expected to be back this season, but the end of last year cemented that decision.
“I really want to go back again and end with the gold medal this time and I think we can do it,” she said. “It’s exciting to know that we got back there and we have another shot at it.”
She is the only starter back from last year’s silver medal-winning team. However, the Hurricanes didn't rebuild, as much as they retooled.
They added key pieces in Jayla Verney, Darcy Zinck and Tyleigha Nelson during the off-season. Verney was named the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) player of the year while Nelson has provided them the inside presence to complement the skill of the Hurricanes guards.
“They’re a dedicated group. They work hard and as a result they’ve reaped the benefits,” head coach Mike Connolly said. “It’s a different team than last year’s, but it’s just as talented.
“They really want it, so I wouldn't want to be facing Holland College in any of the rounds at the national championship.”
RELATED: Click here for a story on Verney.
At Christmas time the Hurricanes brought in American guard Cassie Cooke, who had twice before led the Canadian Interuniversity Sport in scoring. While having two elite scorers can be a tricky balance for teams, the Hurricanes quickly meshed.
“They realize they complement each other more so than compete with each other,” Connolly said.
The unselfish nature runs through the team.
“Everyone is prepared to give up their shot for a better shot that a teammate might have,” Connolly said.
The Hurricanes enter the eight-team competition as the fifth seed and will play the four-seeded Dawson Blues. Holland College went 17-1 in the regular season and won the conference championship with a 75-64 victory over the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics. It was the Hurricanes third straight ACAA title, and this will be their fourth consecutive trip to nationals. They’ve finished fifth, third and second the last three years.
“There’s only one number left,” Connolly said, of the gold medal they are striving to win. “We’re going to have some fun and we’re going to represent the school and our province with as much class as we can.”
CCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
What – The top collegiate basketball teams competing for a national title.
When – Thursday to Saturday.
Where – Edmonton.
Thursday's schedule (all times Atlantic)
4 p.m. – Lethbridge Kodiaks (3) vs. Douglas Royals (6)
6 p.m. – Montmorency Nomades (2) vs. Mount Saint Vincent Mystics (7).
9 p.m. – Humber Hawks (1) vs. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Ooks (8).
11 p.m. – Holland College Hurricanes (4) vs. Dawson Blues (5).
Men – The men’s tournament is being played in Charlottetown. More on the tournament and the Hurricanes in Thursday’s edition of The Guardian.