One of the keys to creating a culture around a team and truly building a program is to have a good mix of young players and veteran experience.
Lakers Women's Basketball Coach Marg Jones has a perfect example of that as the team brings in three freshmen.
Jones and the Lakers are proud to announce the signings of Aleisha Longmuir, Sarah Layefsky and Kendra Dennis for the 2016-17 season.
Longmuir and Dennis join the Lakers as guards, while Layefsky is a forward/post, giving the Lakers more depth at each of those positions, as they enter their third season in the OUA/CIS.
Jones feels that all three players will adapt quickly to the level of play, speed and physicality of CIS basketball, and is excited to add them to the program.
“I am pleased to welcome Kendra, Aleisha and Sarah to the Lakers Women’s Basketball Program. My primary focus for all recruits is character, leadership and work ethic and these young women demonstrate all of these attributes. As a program, our team turned the corner this season and now it’s all about the will to work, to train hard everyday and to be the best possible teammate. With out question these girls meet that criteria.”
Longmuir, a native of Kingsville, ON who is entering the BPHE program, is thrilled to join the Lakers and is expecting big things, despite knowing there will be an adjustment period.
“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to join the Laker family. I’m extremely excited to begin my post-secondary education and basketball career at Nipissing this fall,” she said. “Heading into my first year, my goal for the team is to make it to playoffs while competing against top OUA and CIS teams, as well as become a contributing factor to our team’s success next season.”
Longmuir joins the Lakers after playing for her high school team, the Kingsville Cavaliers and her club team, the Tecumseh Saints.
She said she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team.
“I’m willing to take on any role or situation in front of me,” she stated.
Like Longmuir, Layefsky, who hails from Bradford, ON and will be studying concurrent education when she attends Nipissing, said she feels her style will help her adapt to the change of pace from club to the OUA/CIS.
“I would describe my style of play as a tenacious defensive player. I take a lot of pride in helping out my teammates by passing the ball well and looking for the opportunity for others to score,” Layefsky, who played for Toronto Triple Threat this past season, said.
“I would say my strongest skill would be my willingness on defense to fight for the boards as well as any lose ball.
“I am really looking forward to learn from my fellow teammates as well as the coaching staff. Although we’re still a newer team, I think we have the ability to surprise some people,” she added.
The third recruit, Dennis is thrilled with the opportunity ahead of her and she’s really excited to become part of an up-and-coming program and join what she believes is an amazing group of players.
“I am over the moon about signing with the Lakers for next fall. The program there is absolutely perfect for me, I could not have found a better place. As soon as I was on the campus I looked at my parents and asked them why people would go anywhere else. Not only is the school the right fit for me I am ecstatic about the basketball program as well,” Dennis explained.
“It has always been a goal of mine to play CIS basketball, and I look forward to playing for Coach Jones and alongside the girls at Nipissing. I cannot wait to have this opportunity and develop myself as a player.”
Dennis is originally from Cambridge, ON and played for Jacob Hespeler Secondary School as well as the Guelph Knights, an OBA Junior Women’s basketball team.
She said she’s the type of player who contribute in a number of ways, but maybe her biggest plus is her ability to take on different roles.
“As a player I am quite versatile, and always work hard. I pride myself in my defense and communication on the floor. I am an outside shooter with the ability to handle the ball,” she said of her style and skills. “I think that I am very coachable and will work my hardest to learn and grow with the program.”
Jones noted that bringing in these three young, talented student-athletes is a huge step for her program, as they continue to build and climb the OUA ranks.
“Kendra and Aleisha are skilled offensive players and tenacious perimeter defenders who bring a competitive edge with them on the court. They both have older siblings who play CIS ball and therefore understand the physicality of the game and the level of commitment required to succeed,” Coach Jones said. “Sarah is an excellent interior defender, a strong rebounder and play-maker. She’s an excellent communicator on the court and is extremely efficient moving rim to rim.”
“As we head into the third year of our program we have established a very good core of young and veteran players. The addition of these quality first year student-athletes is integral to our on-going growth and success. We welcome Kendra, Sarah and Aleisha to the Laker Women’s Basketball Program,” Jones added.
