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Lakers Women's Basketball adds leadership

There are a few things you simply can’t teach – experience and size are a few of them and the newest member of the Nipissing Lakers women’s basketball team has both.

There are a few things you simply can’t teach – experience and size are a few of them and the newest member of the Nipissing Lakers women’s basketball team has both.

The Lakers are happy to announce they have signed 6-foot-2 post player, Kelsey LaPlante, who will join the Lakers inaugural team for the 2014-15 season.

LaPlante has an impressive basketball background, both coaching and playing and Lakers head coach Marg Jones said she’s thrilled with adding someone like LaPlante.

“Kelsey is a very mature individual who will bring leadership and intelligence to the team, both on and off the court,” Jones said.

“She is very committed to her academic success and her work ethic will be evident in her leadership style and effort on the court.”

LaPlante will be counted on to contribute under the rim, be a force when it comes to rebounds, as well as mentoring some of the younger players, as she has some experience being around OUA basketball.

LaPlante is originally from Arnprior where she played basketball for Arnprior District High School throughout her four years there and also competitively for the Arnprior Pride competitive basketball program.

The 22-year-old will be attending Teacher’s College in the fall and is already excited about hitting the court with the Lakers.

“My excitement is beyond words. I know it's going to be tough because I think people are going to view us as the underdogs and maybe underestimate us coming in with this being our first season, but I think we are going to surprise everyone with our ability to contend with other top teams,” LaPlante said.

LaPlante has had quite a bit of post-secondary school experience, both athletically and academically which makes her someone Jones will rely on to help the younger players through the rigours of an OUA season, both on the court and in the classroom.

Having a player who has been through it all before and can offer her expertise is an extremely valuable asset to have as a head coach.

LaPlante attended Laurentian University for their Sport and Phys Ed. program in 2009. She red-shirted her first year with the Laurentian Lady Vees Varsity Basketball team and after that first year, decided to discontinue with basketball to focus on my academics. She transferred to the University of Ottawa after three years at Laurentian and she’s now graduating with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Theatre Studies.

“I chose Nipissing because they have one of the best Teacher Education programs in the country. I've wanted to teach since I was in Grade 8, the same time I found my love for basketball so the two have always pretty much been hand in hand with the other,” LaPlante explained.

“I want to play for the Lakers because they have acquired an amazing basketball coach who I am honoured to play for and I want to help be a part of the development of a program that will be around for the next 50 years.”

Jones is excited to see LaPlante on the court in game situations, especially as the Lakers establish themselves in the OUA.
LaPlante’s style is something Jones feels the team can build on and learn from and it’s going to go a long way in creating a positive culture around the Lakers.

“Kelsey is a skilled post player who has a very nice touch around the rim and from about eight to 10 feet. She is skilled out of the short corner and finishes well. We are working hard on her fitness and agility during the off season to ensure that she can contribute major minutes on the floor,” Jones explained. “Her passing will need also need to improve some, all great post players are great passers as well and that is something that will certainly come over the next 16 weeks of training. We have her working out with some of our shooting guards coming from the Ottawa area, so that chemistry is already coming together.”
Kelsey is committed to her training and loving the challenge.

While playing and coaching are two very different things, LaPlante seems to have taken the best of both worlds to create her identity as a player.

“I would say that I am a disciplined player, I am very level-headed and love being competitive. I always believe in playing against the best to get better. You need to have respect for opposing teams and players so that you don't end up discouraged because the reality is- they could beat you,” she said.

“I very much believe mentality is what makes the difference between winning and losing when you're talking about high levels of competition.”

With the addition of LaPlante, along with the recruits Jones signed earlier, the core of the team looks pretty solid for the Lakers, who are looking to surprise and possibly catch a few teams off guard next season.

“Experience and leadership will be huge in the first year of our program. Our first year athletes will look to those with previous on court and classroom experience to lead the way, both in the locker room and on the basketball court,” Jones said, noting how important that will be early in the year. “I am thrilled to have the leadership that Kelsey will bring to our program.”

Submitted to BayToday.ca 


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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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