WBB-HIGH SCHOOL TO THE CIS: A MEMORABLE JUMP
For release: December 16, 2008
Kamloops-Going from being a star on your high school team to playing in the CIS is usually a gradual adjustment. But when you are with a young program, that process is usually accelerated. Such has been the case with three rookie members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Women’s Basketball team.
Post Diane Schuetze (Vernon, BC), forward Beth McNeill (North Vancouver, BC) and forward Lindsay Dekoff (Chilliwack, BC) have all been thrust into more court time than most first year players. But it’s something they have relished along with the entire post secondary experience.
“I knew it was going to be hectic, “ says McNeill “being at class and at practice everyday has been an adjustment. But you get used to it.” McNeill has quickly become one of the more dangerous TRU players from beyond the arc. She is 9 for 28 for a .321 percentage, second on the team. She also was the teams top scorer in their first game, potting 18 against the University of the Fraser Valley on October 24 th.
“Life hasn’t been too hectic,” Schuetze reflected “Luckily, my classes are done by noon so I don’t have to rush to practice. I found trying not to procrastinate on my homework is the biggest challenge.” On the court, the 6-3 Schuetze says playing against girls her size and who are aggressive have both been the highlight and the biggest change she’s noticed from high school. “I like that though. “ Schuetze has alternated with 3rd year Kailey Calonna (Invermere, BC) at the post position. She was the leader three times in the first half of the year in rebounds and averages 8.5 points per game, second most on the team.
Dekoff started off slow but by the Christmas break, was one of the key players on the court for the WolfPack. She admits that the competitiveness of the CIS caught her a little off guard.
“You have to work for your court time,” says Dekoff. “But if you put the time in, you get rewarded. I really wanted to work on my shooting. I think that it’s one part of my game which has really improved since the start of the year. ” She adds that since her high school team played a very quick tempo game, the speed of the CIS didn’t phase her. Her best game offensively was November 15 th when she scored 20 against Trinity Western.
Although Schuetze and McNeill got to fly to games through their experience with the Team BC elite program in high school, travelling to play games has been a treat. Especially for Dekoff, who hadn’t left BC before joining the WolfPack.
“ It’s been so fun,” she says “Bonding with the team has been really great.”
Unlike the larger CIS schools, athletes in the WolfPack program are thrust in the media spotlight: not only being interviewed regularly but also experiencing the life of a role model in the community—doing school visits and attending non profit events like the CIBC Run for the Cure and the Terry Fox Run. For someone coming right out of high school, that pressure could be unnerving.
“Everyone really supports the WolfPack, “ says McNeill. “ It feels really good to do those things.”
“ I really like going to talk to the kids,” Schuetze explains “ Even when you are out in the community wearing your WolfPack gear, they recognize you and treat you like a celebrity. It’s a really great feeling.”
When it comes to playing time, McNeill admits that she’s been more than pleasantly surprised with the amount she’s getting ‘Scott (head coach Reeves) has been pretty fair with that. We all have our different roles and try to live up to them.”
As they head off for their first Christmas break as University players, all three are determined to secure a first ever playoff spot for Thompson Rivers come the near. “ I think we can definitely make a run for it,” says Dekoff “Coming back from our tournament in San Diego, it’ll bring us closer together .