For the last two seasons, Trisha Taylor, Alyssa Ferreira and
Laura Furchner have had their high school basketball seasons
end on a low point.
Born competitors and fused with the will to be winners through
years of steadfast and intense training in the Lasalle Lancers
renowned basketball program, the seniors just don't accept
being second best.
Now in their final season of high school basketball, Taylor,
Ferreira and Furchner are out to break a curse that's been
haunting the Lancer squad for many years, and that's to finally
bring home a coveted gold medal and championship banner from
OFSAA.
It's easier said than done, but the three have set the bar high
and will not, under any circumstances, lower it.
They know the road to OFSAA is bumpy and filled with potential
heart-breaking roadblocks.
They have to help guide the team through the regular season in
the city league and then through the playoffs.
From there, it's taking on the best in Northern Ontario in the
NOSSA Championships. With competition so fierce to be the best
in Ontario, a one-point loss could rear its ugly head at any
moment and send the provincial dream crashing into the ground.
The three young players have experienced a wealth of success
already. They have numerous city and NOSSA gold medals and
championship banners to stare at everyday in their gymnasium.
They take nothing for granted and feel honoured to have been
part of past teams that have reached high, but come short in
the bid for provincial gold.
It's not their fault, they just want more, and they want it
this year.
Lasalle has a spectacular history of city and NOSSA success,
especially in recent memory. In the last seven years, the
Lancers have made it to the OFSAA Championships. They have two
bronze medals to show for their efforts. Last year, the team
was ranked second going into the tournament, but failed to mine
a medal and finished in fourth place.
It's all about glory and not bitter defeat this season for
Lasalle.
Recently, Northern Life reporter Scott Haddow sat down with
Taylor, Ferreira and Furchner to talk about their final
seasons, what the Lasalle program has meant to them and what
they hope to do in the future.
SH: Being a part of this highly respected Lasalle
basketball program what has it done for you in your life?
TT: It means a lot to me...it means everything. There have been
a lot of good players come through here and it's been an
awesome experience for me. It's given me great
opportunities...like going to OFSAA every year.
LF: It's been an amazing honour to be part of this program and
team. Just seeing my name on the banners in the gym is a great
feeling. The experience has helped me a lot and showed me a
lot. I'll never forget it.
AF: All through my years at Lasalle, I've had four different
coaches and learned a lot from each of them. I've experienced a
lot of different coaching techniques and it's really expanded
my basketball career and game.
SH: What is this team out to prove this season? What do
you want to accomplish this season?
TT: As a team, our goal is to make it to OFSAA. We lost the
bronze medal game last year...it didn't feel good. We want to
make up for that this year. It would be a storybook ending if
we made it to the finals and won this time. I'm working on
small things this season and trying to improve my overall game.
LF: It would have been great to have an undefeated season, but
we lost a game in a tournament down south already. At the very
least, I want us to get the chance to play for the OFSAA gold
medal...that would be perfect. I didn't set any personal goals,
it's my last year and I am out to do my best.
AF: In my first year as a senior, we lost in the quarterfinals
of OFSAA. Last year, we finished fourth. This year, I want a
medal. No Lasalle team has ever won a silver or gold OFSAA
medal. To be in the OFSAA final game is exactly where I want us
to be at the end of the season and experience a gold medal
game...that would be special. I'm working on being a leader and
helping others.
SH: How serious are you about basketball and how far do
you want to go?
TT: I've been playing for seven years, as much as I can, so I
would say I am very serious about basketball. I hope to play
university basketball next year. I am hoping to stand out and
get noticed. I don't see myself stopping after high school. I
can't even imagine what I would do if I wasn't playing
basketball. I am undecided on where I will go...there's a list.
It would be a big step, but I will be ready. My older sister
(Jessica) played at Carleton, so to keep the family tradition
going would be sweet.
LF: I would love to play university or college basketball. I
haven't had any offers yet; we'll see what happens. If I don't
get the chance, I will still play basketball for fun. I will
never let this sport go from my life. It would be amazing to
play at the next level. I would get so much out of it and make
the most of the opportunity. My older sister (Lisa) plays at
Laurentian and tells me all the time how great it is.
AF: My goal is to play university or college basketball after
high school. It would mean everything I have learned since
Grade 6 has paid off. All the dedication and hard work is what
will get you to the next level...I feel I've done it. I can
make the jump. I would love to and want to. I'm ready for the
challenge.
SH: How has playing high school basketball at Lasalle
changed your life?
TT: It's allowed me to meet a lot of people. I don't know what
I would do without basketball. I've made great friends for life
and it's opened me up to a lot of new and exciting
opportunities. It gives me the chance to play everyday...I love
it.
LF: It changed my life a lot. I've gotten to do so many great
things I would have otherwise not got a chance to do. I've made
such great friends.
AF: It makes you more involved in the school. It really gets
you involved in school spirit. I've always been involved, I
can't help it. I'm on the student council and the athletic
council. It's been a big part of my life and it's been
wonderful...I'm a better person for it.
SH: What the motivation and drive for this
year?
TT: I came back for one final shot at OFSAA and to win gold. I
will not be back next year. Knowing this, I want to end high
school on a good note.
LF: To not take anything for granted and to practice as hard as
we can everyday to try and win OFSAA. Making it to OFSAA is the
motivation.
AF: The competition motivates me. I love meeting up with teams
we've played before and playing them even harder. We leave
everything on the court, practice and games. We want to be the
best.
SH: Outside of sports, what are your future
aspirations?
TT: I would love to be a physical education teacher and a
coach. It would be fun and fitting for me.
LF: I would love to get into photography or teach junior
kindergarten.
AF:I would like to get into journalism or communications.
