The Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team have punched their ticket to the OCAA Final 4! Here is how they got there.
Regular Season
The Wolves dominated the OCAA East finishing a perfect 14-0. This is the 2nd straight year that the team has remained undefeated in regular season play. They finished the year ranked #1 in the OCAA overall rankings and #2 in the CCAA National rankings. On top of being named OCAA East Champions, they also had the OCAA's best defense, giving up 40.5 points per game.
OCAA Awards
3 players were recognized by the OCAA for their performances in the 2023-24 season.
3rd year guard Cianah Miller was named an OCAA East 2nd Team All-Star. This is her 2nd straight All-Star selection as she was named a 1st Team All-Star with the Loyalist Lancers last season. Miller averaged 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2 assists this season. She has been playing some of her best basketball down the stretch which bodes well for the Wolves.
3rd year forward Libby Hirst earned her 2nd straight OCAA East 1st Team All-Star selection. The Arnprior District High School alumni held down the paint all season long for the Wolves averaging a near double double with 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
3rd year guard Dasia McDonald made significant additions to her OCAA awards collection. She was named an OCAA 1st Team All-Star for the 3rd straight season. She was also named OCAA East Defensive Player of the Year, OCAA East Player of the Year and CCAA All-Canadian for the 2nd straight campaign. McDonald finished the year averaging 14.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and an OCAA best 5.4 steals per game.
The team was also awarded the OCAA East Champion plaque to go along with the OCAA East Best Defensive Team award.
(Photo credit Ellen Bond)
Qualifying Game vs Conestoga February 17th
With the regular season completed, the Wolves kicked off the playoffs at home against the Conestoga Condors who finished 8th in the OCAA West division. Algonquin started out cold, shooting only 18.8 % from the field in the 1st quarter. The team found themselves trailing 13-11 at the end of the first frame. They found their bearings in the 2nd quarter, improving their field goal percentage to 42.9 % and heading into the locker room with a 28-24 lead. Although the game was close throughout, the Wolves maintained their lead the rest of the way and eventually pulled away for a 62-46 victory.
Dasia McDonald had her typical performance finishing with 15 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Cianah Miller and Libby Hirst were also in double digits with 11 and 10 points a piece. Chloe Lapointe also had her stamp on the game with 6 points and 7 rebounds. She made some key plays down the stretch that do not show up on the stat sheet. Her efforts earned her the Wolves Athlete of the Week award. With the win, the Wolves moved on to the ¼ Finals against the Mohawk Mountaineers.
¼ Final vs Mohawk Mountaineers February 24th
After defeating the Condors in round 1 of the OCAA playoffs, the Wolves would face their toughest test yet in the Mohawk Mountaineers. Mohawk finished 4th in the West division with a 12-4 record. They had a couple of big wins under their belt defeating both of the top 2 teams in the West throughout the season. Despite getting off to a better start offensively, the Wolves trailed 16-14 after the opening quarter. The team bounced back to take a 40-36 lead into halftime. 2nd year forward Piper Hatherall had a huge 2nd quarter scoring 11 of her game high 15 points in the frame. Algonquin turned it up a notch defensively in the 3rd quarter holding the Mountaineers to 7 points and extending their lead to 15. The team was able to withstand a Mohawk 4th quarter push to hold on for a 66-58 victory.
Piper Hatherall led the Wolves with 15 points and 6 rebounds, earning her the nod for Wolves Athlete of the Week. Our second Athlete of the Week Dasia McDonald was all over the stat sheet once again with 10 points, 7 steals, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Cianah Miller and Kate Dahmer scored 9 points each with Kate going a perfect 3 for 3 from behind the arc.
What's Next?
The Wolves will take the long trip to Sarnia Ontario for the OCAA Final 4 hosted by the Lambton Lions. They will match up with the St. Clair Saints in the semi-final on Saturday March 2nd at 7:30 pm. Check out the link below for event details.
OCAA Women's Basketball Final 4 Hosted by Lambton College
You can catch the action from home on OCAA LIVE.