Leigh Stansfield

PRE-SEASON OUTLOOK

The T-Birds have had a busy start to the 2012-2013 season. Coming off a silver medal performance at the 2012 National Championships, this year’s team includes five rookies, one 5th year, and an assortment of 2nd, 3rdand 4th year players who all have their sights set on returning to Nationals. Sole 5th year post and returning starter, Leigh Stansfield, will be looked upon to provide leadership and a strong presence in the paint. Fourth year forward Tori Spangehl, known for her ‘hang-time’ and galloping stride, will also be expected to step into an expanded role with the graduation of Alex Vieweg and Zara Huntley. Returning 3rd year starter, and 2nd team Canada West All-Star, Kris Young will look to build on the success of last season. The rookie class, which includes three local kids – Jamie Hills (Handsworth), Cherub Lum (York House), and Andrea Strujic (Kitsilano), as well as one Prairie girl – Susan Thompson (Calgary, AB) and an American East Coaster – Maggie Sundberg (Mansfield, CT), is a strong group that will be required to contribute right away. Rounding out the roster is a hard-working and talented core of 2nd and 3rd year players who have the experience of Nationals and a summer of hard work and skill development under their belts. These players include Cassandra Knievel, Stephanie Bell, Adrienne Parkin and Alyssa Binns. The final two that complete the T-Bird squad are Erika Vieweg and Zana Williams, both of whom have been sidelined with ACL injuries, but who are working hard on recovery and bring experience to the young squad. Penticton, which was the team’s first trip, provided a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time training and team building in the beautiful Okanagan. Gorgeous weather, amazing hospitality and a group of character Birds made for a great trip! Special thanks to UBC alumnus and supporter Lauren Calancie for hosting the team!

Two weeks later the team was off on their first pre-season flight to Toronto. They competed in the Darcel Wright Memorial Classic, held at the old Maple Leaf Gardens Arena, and had Toronto as their first opponent. A back and forth game saw several runs that ended in a 65-61 UBC win. Young led the team with 16 points, Sundberg added 13 and Spangehl contributed 8 rebounds. Next up for the T-Birds were the UNB Varsity Reds who handed UBC their first loss of the season with a score of 76-60. Young led the team with 17

points while Stansfield finished with an impressive 16 points and 14 rebounds. In the final game, UBC faced the University of Laval. Down eight after three quarters, UBC wasn’t able to overcome the deficit and the game ended in a 62-50 loss. Stansfield had another solid performance with 15 points and was named a tournament all-star while Spangehl added 10 points and seven rebounds. The following weekend the Birds hit the road again for the HoopFest Tournament at the University of Alberta. First up for UBC were the Brock Badgers. Solid performances by Young - 17 points, 7 rebounds and Stansfield – 16 points, 7 rebounds, helped propel UBC to a 69-59 win. Game two for the Birds featured a match-up against the Western Mustangs. Sharp shooting and a big 4th quarter run resulted in a 72-62 win. Young led the way with 19 points and 7 assists while Spangehl had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Stansfield put in another strong performance with 14 points and 9 rebounds. In the final the ‘Birds had an anticipated match-up against the Alberta Pandas and the game didn’t disappoint. Young’s turn-around jumper to tie the game with seconds remaining forced overtime, where key free throws by Knievel secured the 75-72 win. Young scored 24 points and added 4 steals while Stansfield had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Young was named tournament MVP and Stansfield was named to the tournament all-star team.

Pre-Season Issue

2012-2013  

Rookie guard Sundberg

Hills, Lum and Strujic competing at the 2012

Vancouver District Championships

Maggie Sundberg

T-BIRDS WELCOME NEW ADDITIONS TO THE COURT The Thunderbirds are excited to welcome five freshmen to the 2012-13 roster. Jamie Hills, a 5’9 guard from North Vancouver, joins a contingent of Handsworth grads who have come before her and made UBC their home. Most notably, Hills will be reunited with former teammate Kris Young, who she played with during the Royals ‘AAA’ BC high school provincial championship season in 2010. A standout athlete on the court, Jamie has also had a tremendous impact on the community around her and understands the value of giving back. Whether she is shaving her head to raise money for cancer research, running a Christmas basketball camp she initiated, or organizing holiday food hampers for families in need, Jamie is a young woman that brings determination, hard work, and a smile on her face to each day. Cherub Lum, a 5’6 guard from Vancouver, B.C., didn’t have to travel far to attend the Point Grey Campus. A York House graduate, Lum had an impressive grade 12 season with the Tigers averaging 14 points, six assists and six

rebounds while leading her team to the ‘AAA’ provincial final. Cherub is a quick and dynamic point guard who makes the players around her better.

She is a competitor with strong court presence and has a good understanding of the value of leadership. Although she is the smallest on the team, this food-savvy freshman has yet to meet a meal she wasn’t willing to try. The tallest of the freshman five, who also didn’t have to venture far, is 6’3 forward Andrea Strujic. A graduate of Kitsilano Secondary, Strujic brings both size and determination to the T-Birds front court and will provide depth in the post. Andrea has

been a Lower Mainland ‘AAA’ All-Star the last two seasons and has played in two Provincial Championships with Kitsilano. Strujic has tremendous potential and has already made significant gains during her transition to the university level. Focused on both academics and athletics, Strujic brings a long list of positive attributes to the UBC roster. The only thing that separates Susan Thompson, a 6’1 forward, from her home and the UBC campus are the small geographic features known as the Rocky Mountains. Thompson, who comes to us from Calgary, AB, is a graduate of Western Canada High School and back-to-back winner of the Alberta ‘AAAA’ Provincial Championships. A character kid who brings several intangibles to the 2012-13 team, Thompson says she is fulfilling a childhood dream by attending UBC. With three local kids and one prairie girl checked off, the only missing piece to this freshman class is, of course, an American. Enter Maggie Sundberg, a 5’8 guard from Mansfield Connecticut. Sundberg, who brings an impressive resume with her, graduated from E.O. Smith High School in 2010-11, led her team to the Connecticut final, was nominated to play in the McDonald’s All-American High School Game and was named to the Academic All-State basketball team. Upon graduation, the dynamic and fast paced point guard spent one year attending Prep school at Choate Rosemary Hall, in Wallingford, CT, where she learned of UBC from her Canadian friends. With a focus on both athletics and academics, Sundberg has found a perfect balance at UBC. The future engineering

student brings playmaking abilities and a competitive drive to the young T-Birds roster and thus far seems only to be missing a little more “eh” in her accent!

Susan Thompson

Kris Young

Zara Huntley

Great Turnout for the Annual Alumni Event

The UBC Thunderbirds welcomed players past and present to War Memorial Gym on Sunday, September 23rd for the annual women’s basketball alumni event. Alumni turn-out was one of the best in recent years, with over 20 former T-Birds ranging in grad years from the 1970’s to 2012 taking part. The afternoon featured an open gym for alumni and family, a mixed team shooting contest, a competitive 5-on-5 game against the current UBC squad and a post-game baseline reception. UBC Women’s Basketball would like to thank the alumni and their families who participated in this year’s event. T-Birds Spread Wings to the international Game 3rd year guard Kristjana Young was the seventh Thunderbird in the past six years to represent Canada on the world stage. Young was named to the Junior Women’s National Team in 2011 and had her first international experience as a member of the Canadian squad that finished sixth at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Santiago, Chile. Her team went undefeated in their six games of pool play, including upsets over basketball powerhouses Team USA and Russia. This past summer Canada Basketball came knocking again as Young was named to the roster of the National Senior B Team. She traveled to Belgium and Montenegro to compete against their senior women’s teams and gained invaluable experience and competition. The knowledge attained through the international experience will undoubtedly help Kris and her team as they

begin the 2012-13 season. Zara Huntley, a five-year Thunderbird standout from Halifax, NS, recently embarked on a professional basketball career in Pontevedra, Spain as an import for CB ARXIL. Zara graduated from UBC this past spring with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree and spent the summer training with the Thunderbirds. Zara is looking forward to absorbing the European lifestyle and experiencing a new culture as she continues to train and compete in a sport she loves. Although communication is challenging with only two team members speaking English, Zara is embracing the challenge, pursuing Spanish classes and tapping into her social nature to seek out English speaking folks in town. She is enjoying the town of Pontevedra which is located on a river that flows to the ocean and has its own Seawall! We look forward to following Zara throughout the year! Results and statistics can be found at the following sites

http://competiciones.feb.es/estadisticas/Calendario.aspx?g=9&t=2012 http://www.eurobasket.com/Spain/basketball-League-LF2.asp?women=1 Zara is the seventh Thunderbird to play professional basketball overseas, joining alumni Devan Lisson, Leanne Evans, Kelsey Blair, Erica McGuinness, Cait Haggarty and Sheila Townsend in the pro ranks. Ruth Wilson Memorial Award Presentation and 40th year anniversary celebration for 71-72 Team- December 1st December 1st will be an evening of celebration as UBC proudly welcomes two distinguished groups to the historic War Memorial Gym. In addition to the Ruth Wilson Memorial Award Presentation, which has become an annual tradition at UBC, Saturday will also mark the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Canadian University Championship team. Both parties will be honored during the game, with the 40th anniversary celebration occurring at half time and the Ruth Wilson Award being presented upon completion of the game.

The Ruth Wilson Memorial Award was established in memory and in honour of Ruth Wilson. Ruth was a prominent figure in the sporting community and her contributions are well recognized through her many inductions. This award was made possible by Ruth’s generosity and that of the many people who continue to donate to this scholarship in Ruth’s honour. The scholarship is presented annually to outstanding member/s of the women’s basketball team. On Saturday, December 1st the award will be presented to this year’s recipient immediately following the women’s basketball game against the University of Lethbridge.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration is in honour of the 1971-72 UBC Women’s Basketball team that was crowned champions in both Canadian University and BC Senior A. Included in the team’s roster were: Joanne Sargent, Wendy Grant, Debbie Phelan, Bev Barnes, Bev Preston (Bland), Terri McGovern, Jan Kainer (Gee), Peggy Robinson, Heather Cranston, Lynn Wells, and Linda McCulloch, as well as the manager Heather Butcher and coach, Norm Vickery.

Donors to the Ruth Wilson Memorial Scholarship as well as distinguished members of the 40th Anniversary Celebration are invited to attend the game as guests of UBC Women’s Basketball. Following the game and presentation of the Ruth Wilson Award, we will host a reception in Room 100. If you would like to attend and have not been contacted by the basketball office, please contact Coach Huband (604-822-4954 or deb.huband@ubc.ca ). We hope to see you on December 1st!

the Sixth Woman Monthly Giving Club

The Sixth Woman Club Monthly Giving Club was launched in 2011. The Club is an avenue for alumni, friends, family and the greater community to be part of the UBC Thunderbird Women’s Basketball team. With the monthly giving option available online, donating is easier and more accessible. Monthly giving is a powerful way to support our program with small monthly payments that add up over time and collectively have a big impact. The Club members will enjoy knowing that each month they are actively supporting UBC Basketball in the pursuit of excellence. Club members can select the donation level that fits the best. Whatever level you choose to go with, it is your participation that is the key to the success of the program.

Information on the Sixth Woman Club can be accessed on the Women’s Basketball page at www.gothunderbirds.ca or directly through http://startanevolution.ubc.ca/projects/6th-woman-ubc-womens-basketball-monthly-giving-club/

Thank you in advance for being part of the team’s success now and into the future.

T-Bird Schedule The T-Birds start league play on the road at Trinity Western on November 2nd and 3rd. They make their home-court debut on Friday, November 9th and 10th against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack. We hope to see you in the gym!

2012 Basketball Schedule: Fri. November 2nd

Sat. November 3rd

at Trinity Western @ 6:00 pm

@ 5:00 pm

Fri. November 9th Sat. November 10th

vs. Thompson Rivers @ 6:00 pm @ 5:00 pm Shoot for the Cure

Fri. November 16th Sat. November 17th

vs. Fraser Valley @ 6:00 pm @ 5:00 pm

Fri. November 23rd

Sat. November 24th

at Saskatchewan

at Alberta

@ 4:00 pm PST

@ 4:00 pm PST

Fri. November 30th vs. Calgary @ 6:00 pm

Sat. December 1st vs. Lethbridge @ 5:00 pm Ruth Wilson and 40th Year Celebration

Home games in bold Pacific Standard Time

Left to Right: Carrie Watts (asst. coach), Deb Huband (head coach), Andrea Strujic, Alyssa Binns, Maggie Sundberg, Kris Young, Cherub Lum, Adri Parkin, Erika Vieweg, Leigh Stansfield, Jaime Hills, Cass Knievel, Steph Bell, Susan Thompson, Tori Spangehl, Alicia Dorsch, Zana Williams, Cait Haggarty (asst. coach).

2012 Thunderbirds enjoying Penticton