‘Working hard every day’

By Corey LeBlanc 

ANTIGONISH – After ending a decade-long playoff drought in 2024, an up-and-coming STFX X-Women basketball program has a steely-eyed focus on returning to the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship tournament for a second consecutive season.

"We have carried some of the momentum from how we ended last season into this one," third-year head coach Matt Spencer said, noting that the team ended the 2023-24 campaign on "a bit of a high."

After securing one of six spots in the year-end conference title tournament last March, with a 9-11 regular season record, the X-Women thumped the higher-seeded UPEI Panthers 80-55 in a quarter-final match-up, before bowing out to the Saint Mary's Huskies – who went on to win the AUS banner – 71-61 in semi-final action.

"We handled ourselves well," Spencer offered of the long-awaited post-season appearance for the program and its fans.

Looking to build on that strong finish, the 2024-25 roster – which includes 11 returning student-athletes  – along with a group of talented and experienced newcomers, arrived with "great energy and optimism," according to the Antigonish native.

"We have the collective belief that more is possible," Spencer added of returning and making a deeper run in the AUS tournament in 2025.

'Defining roles'

One of the bright spots during training camp and the pre-season has been his players "really good buy-in," when it comes to helping them understand their "defined roles"; something that Spencer admitted he could have done a better job of during his first two seasons as the White and Blue head coach. From the leading scorer to the manager – everyone who is part of the team – it is important to "do your job," he offered, in a Bill Belichick-like description.

Spencer added, "It is about establishing an understanding of doing their little piece as part of achieving collective success."

If roles aren't clearly defined, he suggested, it creates "uncertainty" along with gaps in performance, with other players trying to fill those as the season unfolds.

"It is our job [as a coaching staff], to equip them with what they need to be successful in their roles," Spencer said.

A team effort

As for who will lead the way, if the X-Women are to make another playoff run, he noted the importance of taking a "by-committee" approach.

"You are hard to guard if everyone is a threat," Spencer offered of the benefit of boasting a balanced attack.

Nevertheless, he conceded, there are players that AUS opponents will be keying on, including the veteran tandem of fifth-year forward Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, BY), a second-team AUS all-star last season – who led the X-Women with 13.3 points per game, and junior guard Kristine Cooper (Hamilton, ON).

Spencer touted their consistency and commitment defensively.

"They are very hard to slow down," he offered, particularly when they are "feeding off each other."

And, when they are clicking, it benefits the "complimentary pieces" around them, Spencer added.

He also noted that there are a "whole bunch" of returning X-Women that contributed to last season's team success, who have come back much improved.

"She is a tenacious leader of our 'D'," he said of junior forward Lauren Neeve (Oro-Medonte, ON), noting her ongoing development as a "consistent scorer."

Sophomore Shannon Neita (Toronto, ON), who averaged 9.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game – the only freshman to average more than nine in those two categories at the U SPORTS level last season, earned a 2024 AUS all-rookie team selection. "Her effort is unmatched," Spencer said, noting her dedication to "playing hard" in every game.

Wing Jaya D'Souza, who battled injuries last season, is off to a tremendous start, according to her head coach. "She is playing such great basketball," Spencer offered, noting the fourth-year senior's high talent level and her contribution as a quality teammate.

New White and Blue

As for new faces, the X mentor said, "We did very, very well with our recruiting," adding that three student-athletes are expected "to make an impact right away."

Freshman wing Ayla White (Ancaster, ON) is a product of the vaunted Hamilton Transway program. "She is ferocious on defense and attacks hard," Spencer said, noting those are traditionally qualities displayed by players from that highly-regarded system. He noted that White, who led her club to an undefeated championship season in 2024 in the Junior Elite League of Ontario (JUEL), may have gone under the radar for some university programs because she missed her Grade 11 season with a torn ACL.

Another championship performer joining the White and Blue is forward Ali Oluyole (Wolfville, NS), who led the Horton Griffins to the School Sport Nova Scotia Division 1 girls' title in 2024. Noting her success in the Basketball Nova Scotia ranks, including being the youngest player on the most recent Canada Games roster, Spencer described her as a "dynamic athlete." "Ali never stops competing," he offered, noting her ability as a rebounder and a "determined" scorer.

Spencer said the final member of that trio – wing Ofer Caspi (Kabri, IL) – will likely draw the most attention because of her experience at the professional and international levels. "She is very competitive – an excellent scorer with a huge basketball IQ," he added.

And, when it comes to these three new faces, Spencer said they are "ready [to play] every night," noting the benefit of their "assertiveness and self-belief," which will help them hit the ground running in the AUS.

Upham returns

Having exhausted her five years of eligibility, Katie Upham will not be taking the court for the X-Women, but she will continue to be a key contributor to the program this season. The North River native is one of 18 coaches selected from across Canada to participate in the 2024 U SPORTS Female Apprentice Coach Program. While completing her education degree at STFX, she will be serving as a graduate assistant with the White and Blue.

"Katie has been a wonderful addition," Spencer said, noting that the former point guard has "handled it well," when it comes to what can be a difficult transition – moving from playing to coaching.

He added that the X-Women basketball student-athletes, particularly the younger ones, are benefitting from her perspective. "Katie brings tremendous experience to the role. Obviously, she understands the game and in particular how I believe it should be played, but more than that, she understands what the players are going through and has done a fantastic job of reinforcing our messages in her words. We are so fortunate to have her on the bench this year," Spencer added.

Hard hats and lunch pails

When asked about expectations for this season, Spencer pointed to being "relentless, unselfish and united," as key ingredients to success for the StFX squad.

"We want to be known for playing with dogged determination," he offered.

And, be a team that "sticks together," Spencer added.

If they maintain that focus, he concluded, "We will be a tough team to beat and fun to watch."

Spencer expects a "very competitive" AUS season.

"You will have to be ready to go every night," he said.

To reach the goal of capturing an AUS banner – the first for the X-Women since 1997 – and making a trip to the U SPORTS national championship tournament in Vancouver in March, Spencer reiterated the importance of "working hard every day" to "inch closer and closer" to them.

He added, "Bringing our hard hats and lunch pails" on not only game days, but also during practices will serve as the foundation for any desired success on the court.

Tip-off time

The X-Women will tip off the 2024-25 AUS regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 30, with a home game versus the Dalhousie Tigers on Coach 'K' Court at STFX's Saputo Centre. The game will get underway at 6 p.m.

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