Posted: Mar 01, 2012
CBU's Cooke named AUS most valuable player
March 1, 2012 (Antigonish, N.S.) - Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2011-12 AUS women's basketball all-stars and major award winners as selected by the conference's eight head coaches following regular season play.
Second-year Cape Breton Capers guard Cassie Cooke was named the Atlantic University Sport most valuable player, Thursday night.
Other AUS major award winners announced during the awards banquet at the StFX Charles V. Keating Centre in Antigonish, N.S., were StFX's Vanessa Pickard of Riverview, N.B., who was named rookie of the year; Dalhousie's Anna von Maltzahn of Halifax, N.S., who was selected as the defensive player of the year; Dalhousie's Rachael Harrison of Hamilton, Ont., who is the AUS Tracy MacLeod Award Nominee; and Acadia head coach Bev Greenlaw, who was named the AUS coach of the year.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Cassie Cooke, Cape Breton
Cassie Cooke, a 5-foot-8, second-year guard with the CIS No. 10-ranked Cape Breton Capers, is the Atlantic University Sport women's basketball most valuable player.
A native of Westminster, MD. Cooke appeared in the top ten of nearly every AUS offensive statistical category, leading both the AUS and CIS in total points scored with 471. Her 471 single-season point tally is also the fifth highest total in AUS history.
Cassie, also named a first team all-star tonight, finished second in the nation in scoring with an average of 23.6 points per game and led the Atlantic conference in three-point field goals with 55. She was also third in AUS steals (35), and tied for third in total assists with 81.
She helped to lead her Capers team to a second place finish with a 15-5 record.
"Cassie's versatility has been a tough match up for many opponents this season," said Cape Breton head coach Fabian McKenzie. "Her quickness allows her to penetrate to the rim while her ability to shoot the ball from deep range makes her a dangerous offensive weapon."
Kelsey Hodgson was the last CBU player to win the AUS most valuable player award, claiming the top prize in consecutive seasons in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Cooke will look to become the first Atlantic University Sport player to take home the Nan Copp Award as the CIS player of the year.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Vanessa Pickard, StFX
Pickard, a native of Riverview, N.B., is the third player from the X-Women program to claim the AUS rookie of the year award. Beth Stephen (2001-02) and Theresa MacCuish (1991-92) are the only other StFX players to have won this award.
The 5-foot-11 graduate of Riverview High School has made an immediate impact with the X-Women, leading the team in scoring with an average of 17.2 points per game. Her 17.2 points per contest ranks fourth overall in AUS conference scoring and is first in the nation amongst all first-year players in CIS.
A Human Kinetics student, Vanessa was also named a second team all-star and was third in the conference in minutes played, averaging 34.1 minutes per game. She finished third in steals (50), fourth in free throw percentage (.823) and ninth in assists (73).
"Vanessa has been a truly outstanding addition to the team since she arrived on campus," comments StFX head coach Matt Skinn. "Off the court, she is a fantastic student, and is a prime example of an all-around student-athlete. On the court, she has taken the reigns as the starting point guard for our team, and has been a steadying influence, while making big plays for us at critical times. We expected big things from her, but she has certainly surpassed our expectations. Her transition to the CIS level has been a smooth one, and I am excited to see what she is going to continue to bring to our program in the future."
Claire Colborne of UNB was the last AUS player to win the CIS rookie of the year award, just last season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anna von Maltzahn, Dalhousie
Third-year Neuroscience student Anna von Maltzahn is the 2011-12 AUS defensive player of the year.
A native of Halifax, N.S., Anna is a co-captain with the Tigers and led the AUS conference in rebounding with 9.9 rebounds per game, despite the fact that at 5-foot-11 she is one of the smallest post players in the league.
An outstanding defender, she is usually assigned to cover the top player on opposing teams, regardless of position and led the Tigers in steals per game this season.
"Anna sets the standard for the Tigers in work ethic and attitude," says Dalhousie head coach Anna Stammberger. "She puts the extra hours in the gym after or before team practices, never has to be told to work harder in practice and in addition is a real energy giver to her teammates. One of our captains, an excellent defender and rebounder and a great team leader, Anna is also an Academic all-Canadian and on the Dean's List."
Von Maltzahn is the first Dalhousie Tigers player to be recognized as the AUS defensive player of the year since the inception of this award following the 2000-01 season.
No Atlantic University Sport player has yet been named the CIS defensive player of the year.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Bev Greenlaw, Acadia
Acadia Axewomen head coach Bev Greenlaw is the Atlantic University Sport women's basketball coach of the year, marking the first time an Acadia women's basketball coach has ever been honoured with this award.
Greenlaw, now in his fourth season at the helm of the Axewomen program, guided Acadia (currently ranked No. 7 in CIS) to a first place finish with a 17-3 regular season record this year, including an impressive 13-game winning streak during a stretch that lasted from November to February.
This year's regular season record is also the best mark in recent Acadia basketball history. His Acadia squad, which includes senior Emma Duinker, the all-time leading scorer in school history, has been ranked in top 10 of every CIS poll this season.
Greenlaw, who is a former CCAA coach of the year, has coached basketball at virtually every level.
In 2007, he guided the Nova Scotia under-17 girls to a Bronze medal at the Canada Basketball national championship and also led Nova Scotia's Canada Games men's squad to a gold medal, earning him and his team a place in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
"Bev is extremely deserving of this recognition," says Kevin Dickie, Director of Athletics at Acadia. "There is nobody more passionate about the development of women's basketball in the Annapolis valley as he has been over the many years he has coached. His long term plan has come to fruition this season and as the new Athletic Director at Acadia, Bev has been tremendous with me to have around as a senior coach."
CBU head coach Fabian McKenzie is the last Atlantic University Sport coach to be named CIS coach of the year (2005-06).
TRACY MACLEOD AWARD NOMINEE: Rachael Harrison, Dalhousie
Harrison, a fifth-year Recreation Management student from Hamilton, Ont., is the 2011-12 Atlantic University Sport nominee for the Tracy MacLeod Award.
This award rewards a women's basketball player who demonstrates determination, perseverance and unwavering spirit to continue playing the game of basketball and is the AUS nominee for the CIS Sylvia Sweeney Award
In June of 2010, the summer before her graduation year at Dalhousie, Rachel was diagnosed with melanoma. She was treated with surgery in July with the hopes of being on the court that fall, however, further surgery and more treatment delayed her return to the basketball court.
From October, 2010 to June, 2011 she was unable to take part in strenuous physical activity in fear of interference with her cancer treatment and recovery. Rachael was forced to make the decision to sit out the year and focus on getting healthy.
In March, 2011 she received cancer-free results and was cleared to resume training. Her positive and resilient attitude enabled her return to the Tigers lineup for the 2011-12 season.
A co-captain on the team, Rachael has been a force at both ends of the court and is one of the team's best defenders, averaging 26.7 minutes per game. She was also third in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Aside from basketball, Rachael volunteers with a local elementary school running club and is involved with other various youth projects. An exceptional student with a 4.0 GPA, she will resume her studies next fall in the Education program.
"Rachael is very deserving of the Tracy MacLeod award as she never waivered in her pursuit of recovering her health and getting herself back at the top of her game while facing her diagnosis of cancer," says Dalhousie head coach Anna Stammberger. "She is an inspiration to us all in her desire to compete and excel in both the classroom and on the court."
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Melissa Foster, University of New Brunswick
Fourth-year UNB Varsity Reds forward Melissa Foster is the 2012 recipient of the AUS student-athlete community service award.
A native of Moncton, N.B., Foster started in all 20 games for the V-Reds this season, averaging 4.3 points per contest. She is also a three-time Academic all-Canadian with a 3.7 Cumulative GPA in 3.5 years at UNB
Melissa currently coaches the Junior V-Reds mini girls basketball team, volunteers at local community basketball practices, and has participated in the 'Read With The Reds' Program. She volunteers weekly at the local hospital and is the Vice President of the UNB Athlete's Council.
Foster also found time to participate in the Terry Fox Run, the CIBC Run for the Cure, Operation Christmas Child, the Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family program, and UNB's very successful 'Shoot For The Cure' initiative where she was instrumental in rallying her teammates to raise over $4,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Melissa's most impressive accomplishment has been her work with the UNB Right to Play Club. She founded the club last September and has already raised over $4,000 through various fundraising events, with a goal of raising $10,000 by May to create a safe play space in an underprivileged area in the world. Melissa was one of the few Right to Play leaders from across the country chosen to attend an international Right to Play conference in Rwanda this summer.
"I could not be more proud of Mel," says UNB head coach Jeff Speedy. "She has started every game for us, has been a fantastic leader, and has done so much in the community it makes me tired just thinking about it. While doing all of this, she has been an A student and an Academic all-Canadian. She is a very caring, unselfish individual and a truly amazing teammate."
FIRST AND SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
The Atlantic University Sport first and second team all-stars were also announced Thursday, along with this year's all-rookie team.
First Team All-Stars:
Cassie Cooke, Cape Breton University (2nd year - Westminster, MD.)
Justine Colley, Saint Mary's University (3rd year - East Preston, N.S.)
Emma Duinker, Acadia University (5th year - Cambridge, N.S.)
Ally Forsey, Memorial University (4th year - St. John's, Nfld.)
Claire Colborne, University of New Brunswick (2nd year - Calgary, Alta.)
Second Team All-Stars:
Jahlica Kirnon, Cape Breton University (5th year - Toronto, Ont.)
Vanessa Pickard, StFX University (1st year - Riverview, N.B.)
Keisha Brown , Dalhousie University (3rd year - Halifax, N.S.)
Stefanie Chapman, Acadia University (4th year - St. Margaret's Bay, N.S.)
Susanne Canvin, Saint Mary's University (5th year - Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
All-Rookie Team:
Vanessa Pickard, StFX University (Riverview, N.B.)
Tessa Stammberger, Dalhousie University (Kensington, P.E.I.)
Laura Langille, Saint Mary's University (Bedford, N.S.)
Megan Robinson, Memorial University (Waterloo, Ont.)
Colleen Daly, University of New Brunswick (Ancaster, Ont.)
The 2012 Subway Atlantic University Sport women's basketball championship gets under way this weekend at StFX University in Antigonish, N.S.. Live webcasts of all five games of the championship will be available at www.ssncanada.ca.
The winner will be crowned AUS champions and will advance to the 2012 CIS women's basketball championship, March 16-19, hosted by the University of Calgary.
Note: The runner-up will have a second opportunity to qualify for the CIS women's basketball championship and will travel to the University of Ottawa to participate in a CIS Eastern Regional event.
For more information on the CIS championship format, visit http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wbkb/index.
The 2012 Subway Atlantic University Sport women's basketball championship schedule is as follows:
Friday, March 4th
Quarter-final #1: Memorial (4th) vs. StFX (5th), 6:00pm
Quarter-final #2: Saint Mary's (3rd) vs. Dalhousie (6th), 8:00pm
Saturday, March 5th
Semifinal #1: Acadia (1st) vs. Winner of QF #1, 6:00pm
Semifinal #2: Cape Breton (2nd) vs. Winner of QF #2, 8:00pm
Sunday, March 6th
Championship Game: Semifinal Winners, 2:00pm
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