Over the past four seasons, Laurentian University basketball
guard Cassandra Carpenter has obliterated many prestigious
marks in the OUA record book.
In 2005-06, Carpenter set the new single season scoring mark
with 499 points. Last season, she set new records for all time
career scoring with 1,717 points and 811 rebounds. With each
passing game this year, Carpenter adds to those totals.
Carpenter has been a multiple OUA and national all-star thanks
to her determination and drive.
Yet these accolades and accomplishments aren't motivating
Carpenter. The 23-year-old is on the hunt for an OUA
Championship and a shot to play for the national title.
Laurentian has made the post season every year Carpenter has
been playing. The Kanata native has seen her chances at
championship glory shot down by, ironically, her hometown team,
the Ottawa Gee Gees. Laurentian lost to Ottawa in 2004, 2005
and 2006 in OUA East Division final and quarter final action.
Last season, Queen's dumped Laurentian in the East semi-final.
Carpenter is ready to lead Laurentian to a banner. The
five-foot-11 guard is off to another explosive start, averaging
17.3 points-per-game, which is in the top-10 in OUA scoring.
The Lady Vees started the season by going 6-3 and taking
ownership of third place in the East Division. They have won
their last two games. Most recently taking down Waterloo 89-79,
with Carpenter scoring 28 points.
Laurentian has wrapped up regular season play for 2007, but is
back in action at a Calgary tournament from Dec. 28 to 30.
Recently, Carpenter took time out of her schedule to talk to
Northern Life reporter Scott Haddow about her final season and
basketball.
SH: You're the all time OUA scoring and rebounding
leader and adding to those totals. What does it mean to you to
have these records?
CC: These records are definitely great accomplishments and do
mean a lot to me; however, I would not have been able to
achieve these records without the help of my teammates and
coaches.  Personal accomplishments are always very
rewarding but a championship would be more memorable.
SH: Most points in one season. What does that one mean
to you?
CC: Again the most points in one season is a great personal
accomplishment but it was only possible with great teamwork
that I was able to accomplish it.
SH: A championship has eluded you. How bad do you want
to help LU win one?
CC: I came to LU to help them win a championship and that is
the one thing I have not yet accomplished. When I came to
Laurentian I never dreamt of holding records or even being
recognized for my skills. I wanted to be part of a winning
tradition and help bring the pride and tradition back to
Laurentian by hanging a championship banner in Ben Avery.
SH: What would it mean to you to go to a
championship?
CC: It would mean everything to me to go to a championship. For
four years I have had to go to Nationals without my team and
have had to watch other teams play games. Each year it has made
me more determined to help bring the banner back to Sudbury.
This year we have a more determined, deep team that trained
extremely hard and are only looking to improve each and every
game.
SH: What's different for you this season?
CC: Personally, this year is a challenging year. I know it is
my last year and there is slightly more pressure to help LU win
a championship.  I have achieved much more than I ever
thought possible but I have yet to achieve the most important
thing. 
 As a team, this year we are bigger, stronger, and faster
than we have been in my time here. We are extremely deep and
have more scorers than we have had over the years.
SH: It's your final season. What are your thoughts
about it and hopes?
CC: My thoughts for my final season are very much what they
have been every year; however, the major difference is that it
is my last chance to bring home a championship. My hopes for
this season are that I will be able to help guide the team to
succeed and help bring out the best in every one of my
teammates.
SH: Who has been your toughest opponent in the OUA and
why (person or team)?
CC: My toughest opponent in the OUA over the years has probably
been Ottawa.  For my first three years they were the ones
to knock us out of playoffs and have always been a thorn in the
side of LU. And being from Ottawa and having played against
most of them for years before, it makes it even more difficult
to swallow.
SH: Besides Laurentian, what's your favourite place to
play and why?
 
CC: My favourite place to play would have to be Ottawa.  I
say this simply because it is my hometown and gives me the
opportunity to play in front of my family and friends.
SH: Aside from Laurentian people, who do you admire and
respect most in the sporting world and why?
CC: I definitely look up to many people in the sporting
world.  I would have to say Michael Jordan was one who I
have looked up to since I was younger.  Although I still
look up to Jordan and admire all he has accomplished in the
basketball world, Steve Nash is one player who is now at the
top of my list.  He is such an amazing team player and has
accomplished so many things and given Canadians a good
name.
SH: What motto do you live by and why?
CC: Leave it all out on the floor. I put everything I have into
each game, all my energy, hopes, dreams, skills, love for the
game and if I still have any of that left in me when the game
ends, then I haven't done my job. The next morning, I wake up
and have it all back and ready to hit the hardwood again to
give it my all.
SH: What mark do you feel you've left at Laurentian?
CC: I hope I have left the hope for future athletes that
anything is possible if you work hard as an individual and as a
team, you will succeed as both an individual and as a team.
SH: What have you learned about yourself in your time
at LU and in the OUA?
CC: In my time at LU and in the OUA I have learned that
anything is possible.  I never thought any of my
accomplishments would have been possible. I was not a highly
recognized athlete in Ottawa and was a very shy
individual.  LU has helped me become the player and person
I am today.
SH: After this season, what happens next? What kind of
career would you like to have in the working world?
CC: Next year I will be returning to LU to complete my
professional year to become a teacher, as my education has
always been my top priority and basketball is a great partner
to it. I would like to play for a few years overseas if the
chance arises, then settle down and become a teacher and a
coach.
SH: Have you given any thoughts about continuing ball?
Maybe pro or the national team?
CC: My dream has always been to be a member of the National
team and I am still striving to achieve that goal.  I am
looking to play overseas after I have completed my degree shall
the opportunity arise.
SH: What's one memory that really stands out in your
mind from your time at LU and why?
CC: The memory that stands out most in my mind was our playoffs
at LU in my second year when our gym was so loud and crowded
cheering us on.  The majority of the fans had on yellow
pot banger shirts and people were sitting, standing, and the
gym was overflowing.  We have the reputation of being one
of the loudest gyms in Canada and that night we definitely
proved it.
SH: What's your thoughts on the team this season? What
stands out? What do you all want to accomplish?
CC: My thoughts on the team this year are so positive.  We
are stronger, faster, bigger, better and more deep in
comparison to our competition than we have been for
years.  We have been continuing to improve daily and
weekly and we are hoping to peak at the right time.  Our
team goal is to medal at Nationals and if we continue improving
at the rate we are, that goal is not out of reach.
SH: Laurentian features three Sudbury players - Lisa
Furchner, Katie Goggins and Mylaine Mageau. What can you say
about these local born b-ball players and what they have
brought to the team?
CC: These local born players definitely bring many valuable
things to this team.  Goggins brings us speed, scoring,
determination and killer instinct on defence.  Furchner
brings us size, scoring, and finesse inside with the ability to
rebound while Mageau brings us defensive intensity, scoring and
the added spark off the bench. All three are the future of this
team and I feel confident leaving it in their hands after my
departure.
SH: Any final thoughts or anything you want to say?
CC: I would just like to thank LU and the Sudbury community for
their continued support over the years.  Look for big
things from the Lady Vees this season.  We are ready to
show the OUA that the Lady Vees are ready to battle hard to
continue the pride and tradition of Laurentian Basketball, and
raise the championship banner at the 2008-09 season opener.
