LONDON, Ont. - Looking back on the 2009-10 season for the Western women’s basketball team, it was a year of success on many levels. Although they were short of qualifying for Nationals, this year should not be looked at as a disappointment.
After finishing with a fourth overall finish in the OUA West division, the Mustangs earned a division semi final appearance at home against Lakehead. They defeated the Thunder wolves 84-58, in a game which proved why Western earned a first round bye. With the win, they advanced to the OUA West final against the first place Windsor Lancers. The game proved to be a thriller, as Western looked as though they may upset the top ranked Lancers before falling 66-61.
In her last year with the Western Mustangs, guard
Amanda Anderson (Dover Centre, Ont.) reached a personal milestone in her final regular season game against Lakehead. Anderson made the OUA record books with 1,626 points over her career, she finishes as the No. 2 scorer in OUA history behind just Cassandra Carpenter (Ottawa) of Laurentian who amassed 2,171 points in her career. Anderson was also named the OUA West player of the year and becomes the second straight Mustang to receive that honour. Anderson also sits as the leader in Mustangs scoring history with 1,171 points, 455 points above Michelle Vesprini who previously held the number one position.
Along with Anderson who was also named a the first-team all-star, two other Mustangs earned personal achievements.
Katelyn Leddy (London, Ont.) was named as a second-team all-star, while guard
Beckie Williams (London, Ont.) was named to the OUA West all-rookie team.
The Mustangs finished with a 17-5 record this season giving head coach Stephan Barrie his fourth consecutive 17-5 showing in the four years he’s been coaching.
Looking ahead to next season, the Mustangs will be losing two key players to graduation from the basketball program. Amanda Anderson and
Lauren Parkes (London, Ont.) competed in their fifth year for the Mustangs and held leadership roles on the team, and their presence on the court will be missed next season.