Women's Championship Preview

The top six women's teams are ready for the 2017 PACWEST Championship tournament which opens at 1:00pm on Thursday on the campus of Quest University.

#1 Capilano Blues

It took the PACWEST 13 games to crack the stifling Blues defence.  They were simply outstanding all season on both sides of the ball.  Their offence averaged a PACWEST high 70.6 points a game and their defence held the opposition to a Conference low 51 points a game.  They finished first and receive a first round bye for the first time since the 2013 playoffs, in which they won the PACWEST silver medal.

PACWEST Record – 16-2
Home 7-0, Road 9-2
Points Per Game – 70.6
Field Goal % - 38.4%

Player to Watch:

Carmelle M’Bikata: She won the PACWEST scoring title averaging 15.7 points a game and was a force down low shooting 56.3%.  She had a team high 7.3 rebounds a game and compiled 25 steals.

Sherrie Errico: A breakout year scoring 13.3 points a game and was an excellent complement to the inside power game of M’Bikata. She shot 38% from the field and just over 40% from downtown. She is the only Blue to start every game this past season.

Ashley De La Cruz Yip:  She’s the fuel that runs the Blues, pushing the ball up the floor and orchestrating the offence. She leads the PACWEST with 5.6 assists a game.
Longest Conference winning streak: They won 13 straight to open the season from October 28 – February 2.

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Loss – 65-51 VIU Mariners
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 72-69 Douglas College Royals
2016 – PACWEST Camosun Chargers – Win – 80-66 Camosun Chargers
2015 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 68-64 Camosun Chargers
2014 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 82-58 Douglas Royals

2016-2017 Record at Quest University (site of the Provincial championships):
November 18th – 83-43 (Win)
February 18th – 77-68 (Win)

#2 Douglas College Royals

For the second straight season the Royals finished in the second spot in the standings.  They enter the PACWEST championship tournament on a role, winning eight of their last nine.  They will sit and watch on Thursday before facing the winner of the VIU-Langara quarterfinal in Friday’s semi.

PACWEST Record – 14-4
Home 6-2, Road 8-2
Points Per Game – 68.3
Field Goal % - 37.4%

Player to Watch:

Rachel Beauchamp: She averaged a double-double during the regular season scoring 15.7 points a game and grabbing 10.4 rebounds a game.  She showcases great power down low and shot 45% from the field.

Ellen Fallis: She’s one of two Royals that started each game this season.  She shot 33.6% from the field and averaged 11.7 points a game.  She has the ability to play every position on the floor and can shoot from the outside draining a team high 23-three pointers.

Amber Beasley: The offence starts with the crafty point guard. She started every game for the Royals and connected on 32% of her three-point attempts.

Longest Conference winning streak: A 7-game winning streak that stretched from January 14 – February 11

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 60-55 Quest Kermodes
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 72-69 Capilano Blues
2015 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Loss – 76-48 Quest Kermodes
2015 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Won – 62-57 VIU Mariners
2015 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Won – 66-58 KPU Eagles

2016-2017 Record at Quest University (site of the Provincial championships):
November 19th – 70-69 (Win)
February 17th – 70-62 (Loss)

#3 VIU Mariners

The defending PACWEST champs will look to repeat, but the road to gold this season is a bit trickier as they’ll play in a quarterfinal on Thursday against the sixth seeded Langara Falcons.  The season has been filled with injuries for the Mariners as their bench was depleted and averaged only nine points a game.  They are limping into the PACWEST championship losing five of their last six games.

PACWEST Record – 10-8
Home 4-5, Road 6-3
Points Per Game – 59.1
Field Goal % - 33.2%

Player to Watch:

Sienna Pollard: Last year’s Player of the Year finished third in PACWEST scoring averaging 15.5 points a game and shot 31.8% from the field.  She also finished second in PACWEST rebounds averaging just over nine a game. Pollard took a team high 280 shots and started all 18 games.

Celina Guadagni: She started all 18 games this season and averaged 8.9 points.   From the field she shot 33.2% and collected 42 assists and 40 steals.

Emily Clarke: A proven winner, she dropped 8.5 a game this season taking 208 shots and hit 31 from behind the arch.   She’s also tough under the hoop gathering six rebounds a game.
Longest Conference winning streak: Winners of six straight games from November 11 – January 13

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – CCAA Bronze Semi-Final – Loss – 61-54 Sainte-Foy (RSEQ)
2016 – CCAA Bronze Quarterfinal – Win – 75-44 St. Mary’s (ACAA)
2016 – CCAA Quarterfinal – Loss – 74-36 NAIT Ooks (ACAC)
2016 – PACWEST Gold Medal Game – Win – 65-51 Capilano Blues
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Win – 55-42 Quest Kermodes

2016-2017 Record at Quest University (site of the Provincial championships):
November 11th – 67-43 (Win)
February 4th – 70-61 (Loss)

#4 Camosun Chargers

They started to heat up as the season was winding down.   The month of February was their most successful winning four of six games, getting their overall record back to the .500 mark.   The Chargers will face the host and fifth seeded Quest Kermodes in Thursday’s quarterfinal.  They will look to snap a two-game playoff losing skid to the Kermodes.  Tip-off is set for 6:00pm.

PACWEST Record – 9-9
Home 3-5, Road 6-4
Points Per Game – 62.8
Field Goal % - 33.7%

Player to Watch:

Kathryn Candell: She once again led the Chargers offensively averaging 14.4 points a game and shot 32% from the field on 274 shots.  She hit 49-three pointers this season and showed quick hands defensively collecting 45 steals.

Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu: She’s one of only two Chargers to start every game this season.  She shot 31.8% from the field and averaged 7.9 points a game. She was big on the glass as well this year averaging 5.7 boards a game and led her team with 56 assists.

Mia Roberts: The rookie sensation primarily came off the bench averaging 10.9 points a game on 31% shooting.  She nailed 27% of her three-point attempts and chipped in with 17 steals.

Longest Conference winning streak: Winners of four in a row from November 11 – January 6

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 80-66 Capilano Blues
2015 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 57-44 VIU Mariners
2015 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 59-56 Quest Kermodes
2015 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 68-64 Capilano Blues
2014 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Loss – 51-43 VIU Mariners

2016-2017 Record at Quest University (site of the Provincial championships):
November 12th – 70-59 (Win)
February 3rd – 75-58 (Loss)

#5 Quest Kermodes

They are the defending PACWEST bronze medalists and hosts.  They appear to have hit their stride in the month of February winning four of their six games; however their two losses came in their final two games, both on the road.  They are 4-6 at home this season, but will have the hometown crowd behind them beginning on Thursday in their quarterfinal with the fourth seeded Camosun Chargers.

PACWEST Record – 8-10
Home 4-6, Road 4-4
Points Per Game – 61.7
Field Goal % - 36.5%

Player to Watch:

Jordin Wilkinson: She showed no signs of a sophomore slump this season averaging 12.2 points a game and shooting 30.8% from the field.  She was able to distribute the basketball as well, to the tune of 45 assists.  She will need to be a major factor for the Kermodes to have success.

Tessa Needham: In her 16 games this season she averaged 9.1 points a game and shot 41.7% from the field.  She’s been solid on both ends of the court and collected a team high 46 assists.

Kyra Boulding:  She primarily came off the bench this season, playing in all 18 games, but started just six.  She averaged 8.4 points a game.  Her 57% shooting was a team high and she connected on 38% of her three-point attempts.

Longest Conference winning streak: They won four straight from February 3 – February 17

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Win – 60-55 Douglas College Royals
2016 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 55-42 VIU Mariners
2016 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 68-38 Langara Falcons
2015 – CCAA National Bronze Semi-Final – Loss – 72-60 Humber Hawks
2015 – CCAA National Bronze Quarterfinal – Win – 52-41 VIU Mariners

#6 Langara Falcons

The Falcons had some growing pains this season with a new head coach and a different mindset.  That said they showed signs of toughness in the second half and are feeling good heading into the PACWEST Championship tournament.  Two of their three wins in February came against teams ranked higher than them in the VIU Mariners and Quest Kermodes.  They will open the tournament against the Mariners on Thursday at 1:00pm.

PACWEST Record – 6-12
Home 3-8, Road 3-4
Points Per Game – 56.1
Field Goal % - 33%

Player to Watch:

Nicola Erricson: For just a rookie, she was outstanding this season shooting 32% from the field and averaged 9.4 points game.  She started all 18 games and played the second most minutes on her team.  

Trisha Francia: Also just a rookie who averaged 9.2 points a game, shooting a team high 40.7%.  She showed the range from the outside as well, hitting 33-three pointers.  Her version of the court is terrific as she compiled 48 assists.

Coco Suave: She started just one game this season and was very effective coming off the bench averaging 7.5 points a game on 39.5% shooting.  She showed off her range nailing 36% of her three-pointers.

Longest Conference winning streak: The Falcons had a pair wins on January 12 and 14 for their longest streak of the year.

Last FIVE Playoff Games

2016 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss 68-38 Quest Kermodes
2011 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Loss – 90-57 UBC Okanagan Heat
2009 – PACWEST Bronze Medal Game – Win – 65-55 Capilano Blues
2009 – PACWEST Semi-Final – Loss – 76-49 Camosun Chargers
2009 – PACWEST Quarterfinal – Win – 58-47 VIU Mariners

2016-2017 Record at Quest University (site of the Provincial championships):
January 12th – 70-62 (Loss)