X-Women make strides in first season under Spencer
By Corey LeBlanc
Rome wasn't built in a day.
That adage – one suggesting that time is needed to create something strong and worthwhile – has boundless applications, including when you are re-building a varsity women's basketball program in Atlantic University Sport (AUS).
"We are on the right track," White and Blue head coach Matt Spencer offers, noting that there are "encouraging signs" that things are headed in a positive direction.
He adds, "We have established a foundation that we can build on."
Although the X-Women finished out of the playoff picture – after posting a 3-17 regular-season record – measuring progress is not as simple as counting wins and losses.
"I would be lying," Spencer says of the idea that everyone associated with the program wasn't disappointed that they didn't secure more victories and battle for a spot in the year-end conference championship tournament.
Nevertheless, considering since the last time the White and Blue posted a winning record (11-9) and made the AUS playoffs – in 2013-2014 – they have an AUS regular-season mark of 15-121 over the following eight conference campaigns (COVID-19 wiped out the 2020-21 season), including two one-victory finishes (2017, 18) and a winless season in 2019, this year fostered a growing feeling that the program is coming closer to that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
The X-Women- physically and mentally stronger – were much more competitive; putting their AUS opponents on notice that they would be in for a battle when taking the court versus the White and Blue.
Spencer offers that his student-athletes bought into the importance of being competitive on a "daily basis."
Helping lead the way in reaching that level of consistency was third-year guard Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS), who topped the roster with 12.3 points per game, while adding four rebounds per contest from the guard position. Her 40.2 per cent field goal clip from downtown garnered fifth spot in the AUS.
The consummate student-athlete, she not only excelled in the classroom, but also the community; her efforts recognized with the 2023 AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award.
Sophomore guard Melina Collins (Brookside, NS) also scored in double digits with 10.7 points per game, while first-year forward Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, BY) contributed 10.4.
Veteran point guard Katie Upham (North River, NS) – who started her U SPORTS career with the Calgary Dinos – provided great leadership for the X-Women, on and off the court, while finishing with 8.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Her 74 dimes were fifth-best in the conference.
When asked about bright spots from the season, Spencer says the team's growth offensively "stood out," noting their move into the top-5 nationally in a couple of offensive categories. He notes that they made strides "really quickly," when it comes to the precision and execution of their attack.
Conversely, Spencer points out that his X-Women have a "long way to go" defensively, but he is encouraged by their willingness to do what needs to be done to reach their goals on that end of the floor.
"There has been buy-in with the plan going forward," the Antigonish native says.
Looking to next season – and beyond – one of the keys to continuing to make strides will be improving defensively.
"We also need to get better at protecting the paint," Spencer adds, noting that the X-Women are "on the right track," when it comes to achieving those targets.
He also stresses how crucial it will be to collect more pieces to the puzzle, adding quality student-athletes to the White and Blue roster.
Although progress on beefing up the roster is "moving slowly," he says he is "quite pleased" with the addition of Abby Cameron of the Glace Bay Panthers – the 2022 most valuable player in the Cape Breton High School Basketball League.
He adds that the program is "working hard" and they are "quite confident" there will be further additions coming into the fold for next season.
"When I took over, I understood the importance of creating an environment that student-athletes wanted to be in and enjoyed," Spencer says.
He adds, "I think we have started to do that."
Whether it is within the program – or from fans and STFX alumni – there is a "sense of excitement" about the X-Women's future.
"There is great energy – and we are looking forward to what is to come," Spencer says.
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