BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Laurentian University women's basketball
coach Mike Clarke believes he has found a diamond-in-the-rough
in rookie Amanda McConnell, and it's not taking long for the
shine to come through.
 |
| name="valign"
top >
Amanda McConnell |
McConnell, 20, made the 2004-05 Ontario
University Athletics (OUA) East All-Rookie Team.
It was a fitting reward for an especially
difficult freshman year for McConnell.
The native of Regina, Saskatchewan, was
toiling in a women's basketball league last year when she ran
into former Lady Vees stand-out Karen Vos, who recommended
McConnell give university basketball a shot.
One thing led to another, and McConnell
became a Lady Vee for the 2004-05 season.
McConnell faced plenty of adversity in her
first year with the team.
Just before Christmas, McConnell's mother,
who had been battling cancer, passed away.
A lesser person would have folded up her tent
and went home for the year, but McConnell showed her true grit
and managed to keep playing, and improving.
"She had a tough year, but proved she's
tough," said Clarke. "With her mom passing away, it was a
difficult time, especially since it was at exam time. To come
through the experience as well as she has, is just
amazing."
McConnell had many supportive shoulders to
lean on and to help her through the difficult experience.
"It was really hard, but the girls on the
team were 100 percent behind me," said McConnell. "I could
rally around them at any time. If I needed anything, they were
there at the drop of a hat. It was tough, but I couldn't have
gotten through it without the help of my teammates."
In her first year, McConnell played 19 games,
and posted an average of five points per game and 2.6 rebounds
per game, among other stats.
OUA fans have only seen the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to McConnell's true potential.
"I think Amanda is capable of really
exploding," said Clarke. "Coming in on a good team, and putting
up great numbers is hard when you're a rookie because you have
to learn a lot of new things and change habits. Her numbers
don't stand out, but when you watch her, and see the things she
can do, it's going to be hard to stop her in the future.
Technically and physically she's really advanced. We could see
a really big sophomore season from her."
McConnell brings a competitive attitude to
the team.
"I am another big body under the net," said
McConnell. "I am tough, and just a big presence who plays very
hard all the time. I was surprised at making the team. You know
it's there, but during the season, it's the farthest thing from
your mind."
Making the trek from Saskatchewan was ideal
and a great fit.
"I really like the size of Sudbury and
Laurentian," said McConnell. "I love the community feeling
here, especially coming into the gym at Laurentian and seeing
it packed with fans for our games. It feels really good. People
here know who you are and respect that you play university
basketball."