Northern Life reporter Scott Haddow recently had a candid Q and A session with Laurentian University women's basketball star Cassandra Carpenter about the 2006-07 season and what she's out to prove this year.
The 21-year-old has been a CIS All-Star, OUA East Player of the
Year, CIS Rookie of the Year, holds the OUA single-season
scoring record and is the all time Laurentian career scoring
leader. Carpenter would trade it all away for a shot at a
national championship. Find out what gets Carpenter motivated,
her sacrifices and hopes for the new season.
SH: You've switched positions. What does this mean for you and what kind of challenge will it be?
CC: I have switched positions from forward to point guard and
that proposes all sorts of challenges. I have to ensure I
maintain my composure, see the floor better, work on my ball
handling and make sure the team is set up and prepared to run
an offence. I am not able to beat the players guarding me
as they are guards as well and quick.
SH: Personally, what are you looking to prove and
accomplish this year on the court?
CC: This year I am hoping to prove I am able to play on the
perimeter and guard those who are quick as well. I want
to be able to prove there is finesse to my game as well as
getting my teammates involved and make them better.
SH: You have won all kinds of individual awards. What
would a league championship mean to you?
CC: A league championship would mean everything to me.
Over the past years the individual awards have been accepted;
however, I would gladly turn them in for a chance to attend
nationals with my entire team and compete. I have had
three years of watching other teams compete at nationals and
each year it gets harder and harder knowing my teammates are
unable to experience the same thing.
SH: What are you're thoughts on this year's team
overall - what stands out?
CC: This year's team is completely different than the past few
years. We are bigger, faster, and stronger than
ever. We work extremely well as a team; however, we are
still adjusting and getting used to each other. We have
nowhere to go but up this season and I can't say enough about
my fellow Lady Vees. We are looking forward to providing
our fans with exciting fast-paced games all season.
SH: What's your motivation and drive right now for this
season?
CC: My motivation and drive right now for the season is proving
to everyone we are a force to be reckoned with. This team
has fallen the past few years in playoffs; however, just the
excitement of a new season, new teammates, a new game plan and
the desire to win the OUA title within every member of the team
is amazing.
SH: Competing at such a high level - what are the
biggest sacrifices you have made and why is it worth
it?
CC: I think the biggest sacrifices I have made are with free
time and friendships. I have still remained quite close
with my friends. Competing at this level you have to sacrifice
the late nights and extra time you spend with your
friends. I would not change this experience for anything
and therefore do not feel as though they have been sacrifices
but more just life skills of how to manage my time better.
SH: What do you think is your best strength, in terms
of athletics and why?
CC: I feel my best strength is my ability to involve my
teammates and feed off them. I have been very blessed in
that I have not had any major injuries or illnesses during my
career and I think that has been a major strength of mine as
well. It is not too often that players return to
athletics at full strength after suffering a major
injury. I also feel that because growing up I experienced
so many different sports that they all helped to improve my
athletic ability and basketball ability.
SH: In your years at LU, what have you learned about yourself and how has it changed you?
CC: My years at LU have definitely made me learn more about
myself. I was really unsure about leaving home to come to
university as I was not sure I was ready to leave my family and
friends. Coming to university made me realize I was able to
move away and I have met people here who have become my family
away from home. I would not say I have changed but I have
grown more as an individual and I owe it all to my friends,
teammates and coaches for helping to get me through.
SH: Do you feel pressure, being one of the top OUA and
CIS players? How do you deal with it?
CC: I do feel pressure in a sense now. I expect things from
myself whether they be too high or not. My teammates look
up to me to lead them by example and other teams do prepare for
me. My teammates and coaches help me deal with it. It's not
something that can be focused on during a game or prior but I
must be prepared. I do not feel as though I am more of a
threat than my teammates as they are the ones who have helped
me become the player I am. Without them day in and day
out I would not develop the way I do as they are constantly
there pushing me to become a better player.
SH: What can fans expect from you and the Lady Vees
this season?
CC: The fans can expect a fast-paced, intense, exciting
season. The Lady Vees this season are determined to
continue improving all season with the desire to attend and
compete at nationals. We are looking to pressure
opponents and play an in-your-face style of basketball to keep
the tempo at a pace in which we want to play. We trained
hard all summer and pre-season and I think the fans will be
able to see the difference from past years.
SH: Who's the biggest influence on your career and
why?
CC: The biggest influence on my career would have to be my mom
and sister. They got me involved in basketball at such a
young age and made it fun from the beginning, which kept me
involved. Also, my teammates have been a huge influence
on my career. Without my teammates, I would not have a
team on which to compete nor would it have been as
enjoyable. Especially here in Sudbury, my teammates are
my family and they have kept me going from one season to the
next.
SH: Off the court, what can you be found doing during
any spare time? What are your other interests, passions,
etc?
CC: I have many interests such as other sports and my horse. I was not able to bring my horse up this year. Last year he was and I spent most of my spare time with him. This year, I can be found with my teammates, friends and doing school work. The more intense the season gets the more sacrifices that are made and most of my spare time is then devoted to school.
