UBC BASKETBALLv NEWSLETTER | POST-SEASON EDITION | MAY 2020

POST-SEASON RECAP doubles on the night. UBC was back home the following Saturday’s victory also marked the 338th career win for weekend to take on the and Head Coach Deb Huband, making her the winningest After heading into the December break on a five-game recorded two comfortable victories, taking game one coach in Canada West history (see story below). UBC winning streak, UBC headed down the highway to take 95-58 and the rematch 100-57. The T-Birds scored over hosted the University of Victoria the following Thursday on the University of the Fraser Valley for the first 20 points in each of the eight quarters in the series, and in game one of the annual Legends Cup Series between games of 2020. It was a back-and-forth affair, and UBC counted 43 bench points in Saturday’s contest. UVic and UBC. The home team played their best game of managed to hang on for a two-point win despite UFV the season thus far, scoring 100 points in their second having two good looks for the win in the dying seconds consecutive game while holding the visitors to 75. The of the game. Five UBC players hit double digits, led by ‘Birds had 27 assists on the night, highlighted by Kate Jessica Hanson’s 19 points and Keylyn Filewich’s sixth Johnson’s 10 dimes, and dominated in the paint with 64 double-double in the last seven games. Game two of points inside, led by Filewich’s 27 points on 13-16 the series started out tough for the ‘Birds, where a shooting. Hanson added 19 points in the contest while 3rd dismal shooting percentage and a host of players in year forward Madison Legault chipped in 10 points and foul trouble combined for a 29-13 first quarter lead for eight rebounds. The two teams faced off two days later in the Cascades. UBC put together a late rally in the third Victoria, and despite giving up a 12-point lead in the first but came up short, dropping the contest 77-62 and quarter, UBC held steady and took back control in the marking the first win for UFV over UBC in their second frame. With Filewich on the bench in foul trouble, program history. Hanson (16 points, 10 rebounds) and 2nd year guard Hailey Counsell stepped up with a monster UBC Thunderbirds Guard Kate Johnson Filewich (18 points, 14 rebounds) each tallied double- first half, scoring 17 of her team-high 19 points in the

HOOP SCOOP / 1 opening 20 Lindquist, as they marked their last regular-season so UBC headed to Saskatoon to take on for home games at War Memorial Gym. UBC got off to a one of the Canada West quarter-final games. The game minutes. Maddison Penn and Gabby Laguerta added blistering start, shooting 67% from the floor and played out in similar style to the previous match-up, 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the 77-64 win, going 5-5 from the free throw line to take a with UBC going on a 23-5 run between the second and which also marked the first sweep for UBC over the commanding 36-14 lead after the first frame. third quarters to build a 21-point lead before Winnipeg Vikes since the 2016-17 season. UBC hit the road to Winnipeg used their unique style of play to stall the came storming back with a 27-17 fourth quarter Edmonton the following weekend to take on ‘Birds offense in the third quarter and put together a outpour. Luckily the ‘Birds had built enough of a cushion MacEwen University. The Thunderbirds used their to withstand the Wesmen run to take the game 92-85, defense to create some easy offense in the 83-69 earning redemption from last season when Winnipeg win, scoring 29 points off 27 MacEwen turnovers; bumped UBC out of the play-off picture in the opening Johnson was a catalyst in UBC’s defense, nabbing round. The win moved UBC into the Canada West semi- seven steals to go along with seven assists and 14 final against host Saskatchewan, a team they had not points. Saturday’s rematch was a tighter affair, with faced in 2019-20 regular season action. The first half the two teams going into the halftime break tied at was a great display of , with two well- 32, but UBC used a 14-0 run to start the third quarter matched teams battling back and forth before heading and seize the momentum en route to a 75-58 win. into the break with the Huskies holding a slim two-point Hanson was instrumental down the stretch, tallying UBC Thunderbirds Guard Gabrielle Laguerta advantage. The ‘Birds came out of the half on a mission, 27 points on the night, while Filewich scored her going on a 13-0 run in the third quarter to build an 11- 500th Canada West career field goal as she added 21 run of their own, taking a brief two-point lead in the point lead. Sask slowly battled back, putting together a points on 9-11 shooting. The ‘Birds enjoyed their bye fourth quarter before some timely UBC offense timely 10-0 run of their own over the final five minutes week the following weekend before hosting the allowed the home team to steal back the win 76-70. of the fourth quarter to take the lead and ultimately the for the final Canada West league Filewich continued her double-double run with 21 game 76-72, putting an end to UBC’s bid to earn a berth games at the beginning of February. Friday’s game points and 11 rebounds, while Hanson added 10 to the National Championships. UBC had a balanced marked the annual Courtside festival event, and the points and seven assists in her final game at War scoring contribution, with Hanson and Filewich’s 16 home team did not disappoint the energetic crowd, Memorial Gym. The sweep over Winnipeg earned points leading the way, while Penn added 13 points in taking the game 81-62 for their seventh straight win. UBC a bye in the first round of Canada West play-offs, 15 minutes of play, and Johnson chipped in 12. The loss Filewich’s 15-point, 12-rebound double-double led courtesy of their third-place league standing. A new put an end to a successful 2019-20 campaign that saw the way while Counsell added 13 points and six play-off format introduced two four-team the ‘Birds finish with a 16-4 Canada West record and rebounds. Game two of the series also highlighted tournaments at the first and second-place finishers their first trip to the Canada West semi-finals since three graduating players, Hanson, Penn and Krysten for the Canada West quarter and semi-final games, 2015.

HOOP SCOOP / 2 TWO T-BIRDS EARN women’s sport at UBC. Filewich, whose on-court achievements were listed previously, is the eighth END OF SEASON Women’s Basketball player to receive the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy. Graduating senior Jess Hanson was AWARDS also named as one of three finalists for the May Brown Award, which recognizes outstanding female athletes Jess Hanson and Keylyn Filewich were recognized for who are in their final year as UBC athletes. their outstanding play in the 2019-20 season with both athletes earning Canada West All-Star Awards. Hanson, who was 12th in the conference in scoring HUBAND TAKES OVER and fourth in assists per game, was named to the AS WINNINGEST Canada West Third All-Star team. Filewich was named to the First All-Star Team while also claiming COACH IN CANADA top honours as the Canada West Player of the Year UBC Thunderbirds Forward Keylyn Filewich after leading the nation in field goal percentage at WEST WOMEN’S 59.1%, finishing fourth in the conference in points FILEWICH & HANSON BASKETBALL per game at 19.1 and first in the conference in blocks. She is the third UBC Women’s Basketball RECOGNIZED AT UBC On January 11th, Head Coach Deb Huband made history player to earn Player of the Year honours, following BIG BLOCK BANQUET as she earned her 338th regular season victory, the most in the footsteps of former UBC greats Kris Young and wins in Canada West Women’s Basketball. The top spot Jessica Mills. Filewich, who averaged a double- This year’s annual Big Block Award Banquet was held had previously been held by coaching legend Kathy double this season, was also named a U Sports All- virtually for the first time in history, due to restrictions Shields, the longtime coach and a Canadian for the second straight year, earning First related to the Coronavirus pandemic. With our team mainstay in the Canadian basketball scene. In her 25- Team honours in 2019-20 after being recognized as watching “together” online, fourth-year forward Keylyn year coaching career, Huband’s record includes three a Second Team All-Canadian in the 2018-19 season. Filewich was awarded the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy as National Championship gold medals, four Canada West UBC’s most outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. titles, as well as a second and third place finish at U Canada West Announces All-Stars The award is named in honour of the late Marilyn Sports Nationals. Filewich Named Canada West Player of the Year Pomfret, who spent 23 years at UBC as a teacher, coach Huband Makes History and Director of Women’s Athletics and had an incredible impact on gaining access and equity for

HOOP SCOOP / 3 Nora McDermott (1945-49), Barbara Robertson (1959-64), Pauline Genzick (1966-69), Betty Ross (1966-71), Joanne Sargent (1968-73), Terri McGovern (1969-72), Bev Barnes (1971-74), Debbie Phelan

(1971-75), Kathy Williams-Shields (1970-76, UBC/Laurentian), Liz Silcott (1972-79, Concordia/Waterloo/UBC), Carol Turney-Loos (1973- 80, UBC, Saint Mary’s, Victoria), Jessica Mills (1995- From L to R: Jess Hanson, Krysten Lindquist, Maddison Penn 00), Kris Young (2010-15). Kinesiology-Education degree and Penn working to U SPORTS Huband Honoured As One of U Sports Top 100 complete a Master’s of Kinesiology degree this spring. ANNOUNCES TOP Women's Basketball Players During her time at UBC, Penn was named a Canada West First Team All-Star as well as a Second-Team All- U Sports Unveils Top 100 Women Basketball Players of Canadian. She has returned to Australia and will 100 PLAYERS OF LAST the Century CENTURY pursue a second Master’s degree while working UBC BIDS FAREWELL towards a career as a high school teacher. Lindquist, February 6th, 2020 marked the 100th anniversary of from Markham, Ontario, has persevered through women’s university basketball in Canada, and in TO GRADUATING numerous injuries throughout her university career, celebration, U Sports named the top 100 players to SENIORS and has shown tremendous commitment and have impacted the game during that time. 14 resilience on the court while balancing multiple volunteer and work opportunities. Lindquist was Thunderbirds were named to the list -the most After having been without a fifth-year senior for the named an Academic All-Canadian last season and has from any university in Canada- including Head past three seasons, the Women’s Basketball team also earned several academic awards from her Coach Deb Huband, whose single-game scoring recognized three graduating players at the end of the faculty, including the prestigious PHE Canada Student record of 50 points while competing for Bishops season for their outstanding contributions to the Award for UBC in recognition of exemplary leadership University stood until 2018. Huband played for the program. Jess Hanson and Krysten Lindquist were in the field of health and physical education. Hanson, Senior National Team for 11 years, and was captain five-year Thunderbirds, while Maddison Penn played who hails from Vancouver, was an impactful player on of the squad that finished fourth at the 1984 four years at UBC after transferring from Virginia Tech the court from her first day on campus, earning UBC Olympics. The other Thunderbirds who were University. All three student-athletes studied in the Female Rookie of the Year honours and being named named to the list include Ruth Wilson (1937-41), Faculty of Kinesiology, with Lindquist earning a dual to the Canada West Rookie team in 2016. Hanson has

HOOP SCOOP / 4 twice earned Academic All-Canadian status, and has team motto: Striving for Excellence On the Court, In CAPTAIN’S CORNER W/ served as the team captain and a member of the team’s the Classroom and In the Community. Khalifa, who is Leadership group since her third year. She was named pursuing a Major in Behavioural Neuroscience in the JESS HANSON, #11 a Canada West Third Team All-Star this past season, and Faculty of Science, has been awarded standing on the will pursue opportunities to play professionally UBC Dean’s Honour List and the UBC Science Scholar overseas before embarking on a career in coaching. List, as well as being named a two-time U Sports Academic All-Canadian. While juggling demanding FOURTH YEAR GUARD academic and athletic schedules, Khalifa has been active in the community, volunteering with Canadian ISABELLE KHALIFA: AN Blood Services, Union Gospel Mission, Strathcona ACADEMIC STANDOUT Basketball Association, WISH Drop-in Centre Society and UBC’s Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative,

among others. This past year she received designation as a Wesbrook Scholar, which is UBC’s most prestigious designation, given to senior students with outstanding academic performance, leadership and involvement in student and community activities. In addition, Khalifa was nominated by UBC for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion,

Democracy and Reconciliation; this medal recognizes post-secondary students who have made outstanding contributions in their efforts to help create a more Hello to all!! Firstly, from your 2019-2020 ‘Birds, we welcoming and supportive environment, standing up hope that everyone is doing well and making the best for those who are more vulnerable and advancing of these tough and uncertain times. Although not quite reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The winners the ending to the school year we would have wanted for the award will be announced at a future date. UBC (having to miss big block, last day of classes UBC Thunderbirds Guard Isabelle Khalifa Women’s Basketball is incredibly proud of Izzy and the celebrations, graduation, training together etc.) I know tremendous achievements she has earned during her I speak for all of us when I say that we are so grateful Over her four years with the Thunderbirds, Izzy Khalifa time at UBC. that we got to finish our season on our own terms and has exemplified the “Three C’s” that represent our not because of this global pandemic. From Italy, to

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Toronto, to Saskatoon, we traveled far and wide this year older with an exciting recruiting class joining the elementary schools. Canada West and U Sports year – making lasting memories along the way. squad. Someone recently asked me what year was my continue to work on plans to be able to deliver seasons Although we faced many ups and downs, the journey favorite from 1st year to 5th? Without even thinking to the thousands of U Sports athletes across the that this year was, was a great one. We got to celebrate twice I said 5th year – and I have my amazing country, and as of right now, the Canada West 4 Academic All-Canadians (Shout-out to Madison teammates and coaching staff to thank for that. In basketball season will be modified to accommodate the Legault for being the only returnee for next year’s closing, it has been a very strange ending to the 2019- changing landscape and to meet all health and safety team!), Deb becoming the winningest coach in Canada 2020 year… I’ll have you all know I am super excited protocol as recommended by our medical West, Keylyn Filewich winning Canada West Player of to receive my undergrad diploma in the mail and walk professionals. See below for the press release the Year, having our first Seniors’ Night celebration in 3 across my kitchen to receive it. It is so hard to put into announcing the plans for the 2020-21 season. years, and many more. Although our season ended words exactly what my 5 years here has meant and Revised Canada West Formats Approved earlier than any of us had wished – there is a lot to taught me. For those of you who came to our seniors celebrate when you look back and reflect. Our last night this year – thanks so much for sitting through 20 BIRDS IN THE NEWS game of the season, and my last game as a USPORT minutes of me trying to do just that. athlete, was against a tough Saskatchewan team, and it Jess Hanson Saves the Best for Last #11 Jess Hanson, OUT was a game that was both heartbreaking and special. It Huband on Precipice of History was some of the best basketball we had collectively CANADA WEST played as a team and debatably the best women’s basketball game Canada West or USPORT had seen all UPDATE year - with a packed house of Saskatchewan fans to FOLLOW THE witness. Although we were disappointed in the As our university, our country and our world navigate outcome, we gave the eventual national the ever-changing realities associated with Covid-19, THUNDERBIRDS ON championships a run for their money. The moments our team has been busy trying to stay focused and that we shared as a team during that game and even connected from afar. The players finished up the last SOCIAL MEDIA few weeks of the semester, and their final exams, those tear-filled ones afterwards, are moments I will @UBCWBBALL hold with me for a long time. I know that the 2020-21 online after having moved back home. In a time where ‘Birds will carry that game with them into next year, we would normally be training as a team several times @UBCWBBALL fueling their motivation and hunger. Speaking as a per week, we have shifted (or to use Covid vernacular, @UBCWBBALL captain of the team, I am so proud of each of the girls ‘pivoted’) to online Zoom meetings, online Zoom workouts, and spending lots of time working on for their toughness and resiliency this year. I am excited @UBCWBB to see what the team will look like next year, another individual games from basements, driveways and old

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