The McMaster women’s basketball team has returned from Thunder Bay, the last stop of their five-city road trip, and are now sitting comfortably in first place of the Ontario University Athletics West Division.
One of the biggest contributors to the team is fourth-year guard Hilary Hanaka, who leads the team with an average of 16 points per game. Though she is now a key component of the winning team, Hanaka did not find it easy to assimilate to university-level basketball coming from high school during her first year as a Marauder.
“I actually found it to be a lot different than I thought it would be,” said Hanaka. “The pace at the university level and the speed of the game is so much different than in high school, but it’s still a lot of fun.”
One of the biggest changes coming to Mac was leaving her sister Julia Hanaka behind after playing together for two years at St. Mary’s High School. So when her younger sister made the decision to play for McMaster in Hilary’s third year, it was everything she could have ever wanted.
“When we realized we were actually on a university varsity basketball team together, especially because this doesn’t happen that often, we were so ecstatic,” said Hilary. “Now it’s just so much fun. I think I get more excited to see her succeed than I do myself.”
In the duo’s first year together in maroon, the younger Hanaka did not get the minutes she hoped for. But in her second year, with the departure of many senior players, her opportunities to play increased.
“Being able to get those minutes on court with her has been so memorable to me,” Hilary said.
"When we realized we were actually on a university varsity basketball team together, especially because this doesn’t happen that often, we were so ecstatic.”
Hilary Hanaka
Fourth-year guard
McMaster women’s
Basketball Team
“The first time we played together, I passed to her and that led to her scoring her first three and it was just an amazing feeling.”
As someone who does not show a lot of emotion when she plays, watching her sister in that moment made it impossible to keep a grin off her face.
“Seeing her hit that shot and how happy she was made me so happy,” Hilary added.
Julia is not the only younger player benefiting from having her older sister leading the way. As such a key component on the team in her fourth year, Hilary and the other seniors have been leading by example both on and off the court for the younger players.
“When I first started, I looked up to Danielle Boiago who was one of my senior veterans when I came,” said Hilary. “She was always the first to every ball during the game and the first [one in] and last one out of the gym.”
Now that she has become a senior player, Hilary hopes to set an example at all times to show the younger players that success does not just come to you naturally — you have to work for it.
“The younger girls are starting to realize it, especially the ones who have had to step up the last few games,” said Hilary.
These games include the games the veteran guard was sidelined because of to a knee injury.
“I was playing on a sore knee for a while and in one of the games I was hit,” Hilary said. “I continued to try and play and practice on it but finally I was like, ‘this knee is too bad’.”
After having it examined further, she learned she had torn a ligament on the lateral side of her knee.
“I’m trying to play through the pain as best I can right now and at the end of the season I’ll take care of it,” said Hilary.
So far, the elder Hanaka has definitely been playing well through the pain. She was awarded the Pita Pit Athlete of the Week upon her return to the hardwood. With an 11-game winning streak and only four losses this season, the Marauders will more than likely remain in first place in their division. But Mac’s starting guard knows they cannot let it get to their head.
“We have to just take each game as it comes and not get too ahead of ourselves,” said Hilary. “Whatever game is next is just as important as the one after that, so just going into each practice and game with that mindset to get us in the position we want to be in come playoffs.”
Prior to the Thunder Bay road trip, Hilary knew that getting two road wins would be crucial for the last leg of the season.
“It’s always hard to play away from your home court and in someone else’s gym,” the guard said. “Our main focus is just to play our own game and focus on our own stuff, rather than trying to break down each and every one of their offences, because in the end it’s what we do that will lead us to our success.”
With three games left in the regular season, it is up to Hilary and the Marauders to remain in the number one spot.
“Right now we are just making sure we are focusing on our reads and making sure we have that defensive rotation we have been talking about all season,” Hilary said. “If we do that, I think we’ll be more than okay.”
With Hilary leading the way, the McMaster women’s basketball team is on the right road to suc-cess this season.
“I hope that I can remain being an impact player on and off the court,” said Hilary. “I just want to bring that excitement to the team and make sure they’re aware that we have so much potential and if we bring that confidence within each other and in ourselves each and every game we’re going to be okay no matter who is against us.”
Being that impact player is nothing new to the venerated guard. With a promising future on the horizon for the Marauders, this will not be the last we hear of Hilary Hanaka.
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Once again, the women’s basketball team is securely in the U Sports top 10, maintaining their ranking throughout the season. The Marauders’ program is usually a stalwart in the national rankings, but this year looks a little different than those in recent memory.
Entering the 2017-2018 season, the Mac women found themselves without their top scorer and one of the most dominant basketball players in the country, Danielle Boiago. The former U Sports Player of the Year is currently playing professionally in the Netherlands, and that left a hole in the Marauders’ roster.
“[The season] started with us kind of doubting ourselves a little bit because we just lost Danielle Boiago and that was a big loss for our team,” said Marauders’ forward Linnaea Harper. “But slowly we were like ‘we are still really good and we have new good incoming players and still have players that played last year that play really good’. And with age comes more experience and skill so every year is something to look forward to. At the beginning of the year we were kind of getting used to the new team and now we are really gelling. I think beginning in 2018 we have really stepped up and shown that we can compete at the highest level.”
Harper, a fourth-year kinesiology major, is one of the key reasons behind the team’s success this year. With Boiago’s nearly 20 points and seven rebounds per game missing from the box score, there was a definite void that needed to be filled between Harper and the rest of the Marauders.
“In terms of scoring I had to step up but also get more players involved,” Harper said. “Trying to distribute the ball to other players to score was one of my goals and we have done really well with that. Across the board there are four or five people at least in double digits. How do you defend that?”
While the starting forward missed some contests due to injury, through 13 games played this season, Harper finds herself in or close to the top spot in every major statistical category on the Marauders this season.
Harper leads the team in assists and blocks per game, while sitting in second on the team in points, rebounds and steals per game. Harper also has the third best three-point shooting percentage in the nation with an impressive 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc.
Harper’s excellence on the court is directly a result of being around basketball for most of her life. After being scouted by a teammate’s parent on her soccer team in Grade 3, Harper tried out for the Newmarket All-Star team. After having to commit to one sport over the other in high school, Harper threw herself into basketball and that commitment has paid dividends.
Her time on the hard court and the dedication she brings with her shows up every night on the score sheet. Recently integrating caffeine into her pregame routine, Harper likes getting to the gym pretty early before games, taking time to work on her shot and making sure she is able to free her mind and calm her nerves before the first whistle.
Currently in her fourth year with the team, Harper still enjoys the moments of victory like any athlete, but can also appreciate the efforts of the younger players around her.
“I’m just really thankful for all the opportunities I have been given with being a Maruader athlete,” Harper added. “I am so glad I am here. It’s home.”
“I think when the end of the game is done and we have won, that is number one,” Harper said. “After a stressful close game, pulling out that win is the most satisfying thing because you worked your tail off the entire game. I also think seeing the younger players score and get into it has been something inspiring to me. Because I know I really struggled in my first few years. So seeing Sarah Gates, who has been playing so well. I played with her when she was in Grade 9 and I was in Grade 12 and just seeing what she was then and seeing her be successful now is super cool. Because it wasn’t like that for me, so I kind of live vicariously through her in that way.”
While it has not always been easy for the kinesiology major, being under the tutelage of coach Theresa Burns has definitely been one of the reasons Harper has enjoyed her time as a Marauder so much and continued to succeed on the court.
“She is amazing,” Harper said. “She is relentless. She isn’t much of a ‘yell in your face if you make a mistake’ kind of coach. She knows how to balance the friendship with the ‘hey I’m still your coach, we have to do certain things in order to move forward’. I really respect that because that is a hard relationship to strike with people. Being able to have that respect for her but also be her friend and athlete and player is awesome.”
While Harper is planning on returning to the Marauders next season, there is no time like the present. Based on how well the team is performing, the Newmarket product is dead set on taking her team to the championship this season.
“Obviously I want to win everything,” Harper said. “But I think our first goal is to win [the Ontario University Athletics championship] and then from there just slowly chipping our way at winning a national championship. Every athlete’s dream is winning a national championship. Striving high for that is important. Definitely to win it all, that’s my goal.”
At the end of the day, statistics and trophies make for great conversation, but memories and experiences ultimately stick with an athlete for a lot longer.
“I’m just really thankful for all the opportunities I have been given with being a Maruader athlete,” Harper added. “I am so glad I am here. It’s home.”
With Harper chief among a group of incredibly talented players, the women’s basketball team is positioned to take the country by storm once again this season. Winning is sweet, but winning for a place you consider home is even sweeter.
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Reviewing the box score following McMaster University’s men’s basketball team’s 90-76 victory over the Western Mustangs, one stat line stands out: 21 points, seven rebounds and one assist. It is safe to say that was a huge night for Kitchener native Sasha Simic.
Simic first picked up a basketball at the age of six years old, but at the time it was just one of many sports the young athlete played. It wasn’t until Simic’s older brother began to play basketball in high school that he too started to take the sport seriously. So in the sixth grade, he decided to drop all other sports to really focus on basketball and has been playing competitively ever since.
Simic first left Kitchener three years ago to pursue his post-secondary career, attending three institutions on both sides of the border. As someone who has experienced both, Simic understands first-hand that there are pros and cons to playing in both countries.
“American basketball is a little more athletic,” Simic said. “For example they have a lot of taller guys who jump higher. But Canadian basketball is on the rise simply because they play a lot smarter.”
Although the top Canadian teams may not be as naturally athletic as the top American teams, Simic points out that Canadian teams, like the University of Carleton’s men’s basketball team, are successful because they approach the sport from a more tactical angle.
Simic, like a lot of young Canadian basketball players, has already had extensive experience playing basketball in a variety of situations.
“It has been a long journey, but a successful one,” said Simic.
Beginning in high school at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, Simic had the opportunity to play down south at Vincennes University, a junior college in Indiana. Unfortunately for Simic, a broken leg cut his time in Indiana short.
“That process of getting back to being myself was a long eight-month process,” Simic said.
After spending a year at Collin County College in Texas following his recovery, Simic decided it was time to come back home.
“I mainly made the decision because of the new coaching staff,” said Simic. “Patrick Tatham is a well-known coach as well as a players’ coach that I had heard a lot of great things about.”
After a little push from McMaster’s director of athletics and former Toronto Raptors General Manger Glen Grunwlad, and knowing that he would be able to play in front of his support system, Simic was sold.
Simic’s support system consists of his parents, his mother’s boyfriend and grandparents, but most importantly his older brother Nemanja Simic. Anyone who has been to a home game this season knows his brother is the most vocal out of the group. Often heard chirping the officials and cheering on other teammates, but above all, supporting his brother.
“He’s a big part of my life,” said Simic. “He’s there with me before and after games, and sees me at my low and at my highs. He understands the most what I’m putting into this.”
Returning home to such an important bond after being away for two years is an experience Simic does not take for granted.
“I don’t only look up to him on the floor as a player, but off of it,” said Simic. “It’s a bond that can’t be described in words.”
Unfortunately for Simic and the Marauders, support from home has not been enough. Currently boasting a 3-13 record, the Mac men mainly struggle to close out games in the fourth quarter. One constant bright sport in all three of their wins has been the effort Simic puts in on the court.
“[Coach Tatham] has just really been challenging me these last couple of weeks, especially going into the New Year to stay aggressive and be the missing piece we’re looking for,” said Simic. “I try to come through every night, and sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. But one thing I understand is that you can’t stay in the past you have to keep moving forward.”
On Jan 24. McMaster will face their third opponent in their six-game road trip, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks who beat the Marauders in Hamilton during their last match.
“We just have to go out and compete like we did against Western,” said Simic. “Our backs are against the wall for a playoff spot so we just have to keep that in mind and play every game as if it is a playoff game from here on out.”
All hope is not lost for the Marauders if they are able to be consistent and win their next few games they have a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Like Simic said, every game going forward should be played like it is their last, or their season will come to an end a lot sooner than they would like.
Photos by Rick Zazulak
By: Ryan Tse
A glance at the score for McMaster’s Nov. 24 matchup against the Brock Badgers shows a 96-87 loss, a familiar result for a struggling team that owns a 1-7 record so far this season. It was yet another close loss, albeit to a strong undefeated Brock side.
A closer look at the box score reveals another familiar result: point guard David McCulloch again led the team with 35 minutes played out of a possible 40 minutes. The fourth-year veteran was effective too. He tallied 26 points, the most for any player on either team. Still, he was unsurprisingly disappointed in the final result.
“We played tough in a lot of games, but it hasn’t been enough,” McCulloch said. “We need to get to the next step. We need to get to that extra gear.”
McCulloch is one of the bright spots in a tough year for the men’s basketball team. He leads the team in minutes played and is second in points per game.
After attending high school in Hamilton, McCulloch was recruited to McMaster and has steadily improved each year. He has gone from averaging 13 minutes and three points a game in his freshman season to now averaging 31 minutes and 19 points in his fourth year.
As one of only two seniors on the team, McCulloch knows that he has a responsibility to take charge of the team and be a leader on and off the court. His dependable play has earned him the respect of his teammates in the past, but this year, he has been challenged by coach Patrick Tatham to be more vocal. He admits this has been a challenge in times, given his quiet, lead-by-example persona.
“I still have a long ways to go,” said McCulloch. “PT [coach Tatham] is always telling me I need to be more vocal. The way I’ve led in the past has always been by example, by trying to be the hardest worker and trying to do all that stuff. Now, it’s about taking the next step and being vocal as a leader.”
“I’m always on Dave to be more vocal,” added Tatham. “I don’t want to be the loudest individual in the room. I think if the loudest person is him, then the guys will buy in that much more because he’s an extension of me. If he’s in, then all the guys are in.”
The evolution of McCulloch’s play is apparent on the court as well. Under Tatham’s new “run and gun” system, the point guard, typically a pass-first player, has been asked to shoot more. So far, so good — McCulloch’s averaged almost 16 field goal attempts per game compared to just 11 last year. He’s also taken more three-point attempts per game, up from four attempts last year to seven this year, and has a higher three-point percentage as well.
McCulloch also attributes his new shoot-first mentality to the confidence that he has gained over his career.
“I have been playing the university game for three or four years, so I can make better decisions,” said McCulloch. “But I am also more confident taking more risks and doing things more out of the box.”
In McCulloch, Tatham sees a talented player who can dominate if he is pushed to play more aggressively.
“He’s absolutely a borderline all-Canadian player,” said Tatham. “We are just going continue to push him and hopefully get him to play out of his comfort zone where he has been the past three years, which is more of a facilitator trying to control the game rather than take over the game.”
The higher-pace style that McCulloch has played has been representative of the whole team, something that is apparent to McCulloch when comparing the past couple of years to this season.
“The past couple of years, we have had really good big men that we can throw the ball in,” explained McCulloch. “It was a slow offence, and we could get some post touches or inside finishes more. This year, we are more of a guard-oriented team. We are pushing the tempo, running and shooting, which fits our team a lot more than in years past.”
Despite his own success, McCulloch is obviously frustrated by the team’s lack of success. He thinks the talent is there, but the team needs to be more consistent.
“Right now, it’s just consistency,” said McCulloch. “We will have good quarters, and we will have horrendous quarters. We have not been shooting the ball as well as we can. We have lost a couple games by six or eight, so if we hit a couple more threes, it’s a different game. It’s about getting through 40 minutes instead of three quarters or just a half.”
McCulloch still likes the potential of the team though. When asked about their new additions, he pointed out the stellar play of Miles Seward and Kareem Collins in particular.
“Miles is scoring the ball,” said McCulloch. “He can score the ball whenever he wants. He’s super confident and really exciting, and he gets our team amped up. Kareem Collins is another guy who has helped our team a lot. He is a super good defender and he can get to the rim whenever he wants. He’s another guy who fits the system perfectly. He’s athletic so he can run the floor.”
Heading into the second half of the season, McCulloch remains optimistic about the team and loves the camraderie.
“It’s good and we’re fun,” McCulloch said. “I love the guys on the team. We play really fast and everyone works really hard. Everyone’s really confident and it is just a fun team. PT’s trying to change the culture a lot: be as hardworking as possible, lift up your teammates and just have fun.”
“Obviously, we’re struggling, but things will change,” McCulloch added. “It’s a new team, a bunch of new players, so the cohesion is not quite there yet. If I had to guess, I think we’ll be really good.”
There still remains a lot of season to be played as the Marauders head into December. However, it is already clear that if the team can turn the season around, McCulloch will be a huge part of it.
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By: Andrew Sarkis
With last year in the rear-view mirror, the McMaster women’s basketball team have turned a new page, beginning the 2017-2018 season with an opening night 71-60 win over the Guelph Gryphons. In what was a foul-filled game, the Marauders ultimately came out on top, thanks in part to a team-leading 15-point performance from guard Hilary Hanaka.
It was evident both teams had to shake off a bit of rust during the season-opener, as the game started off slowly on offence for both teams before picking up in the later parts of the game. Head coach Theresa Burns saw that the opener was a scrappy match, and acknowledged that wins did not have to look pretty.
“It was a scrappy game,” Burns said. “Bodies were flying everywhere and there were lots of fouls. It was a very difficult game with lots of contact. For us, they’re not always going to be pretty and you got to be able to adapt to the teams we’re playing.”
Despite the tougher conditions of the game, Burns drew positives from the win, citing the team’s ability to adapt to high-pressure situations as an important factor.
“I was really happy with the pushback that our team showed,” Burns said. “Whether it was diving to the floor for the ball or pushing back on boxouts, our team showed a lot grit and tenacity for 40 minutes. Despite the fact Guelph ramped up the pressure and were trying to play a fast game with us, I was really happy that we made decisions at a fast pace. It took us a minute or two to figure out their pressure and once we did I thought we adapted well.”
Prior to the season-opener, McMaster had a unique international preparation opportunity. Through July 25 to July 30, the team travelled to Taiwan to partake in the Buddha Light International Association Cup Tournament. The Marauders were able compete against teams from seven different countries, an experience that head coach Theresa Burns spoke highly of.
“They’re critical,” said Burns. “To be able to challenge the best teams in the country you have to play the best teams in the country, just to figure ourselves out and show weaknesses in our own game that we need to fix up before heading into league. Playing games in Taiwan was just incredible. International basketball pace, style, intensity and skill level was just off the charts.”
The Marauders were also able to partake in the annual Ryerson Darcel Wright Memorial Tournament on Oct. 20 to Oct. 22. Mac swept the competition, defeating the University of New Brunswick and the host Ryerson Rams en route to a gold medal game victory against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
“The Ryerson tournament gave us three good quality out-of-conference games against teams that are going to be top 10 teams all year,” Burns said. “To challenge ourselves that way is fantastic and all about learning what we’re doing well and not doing well to better prepare us for the league.”
With both preliminary games and the season opener out of the way, the Marauders are now focused on moving forward with a lot of new faces on their roster. The departure of notable star player Danielle Boiago marks one of many ways how the team will be much different from the bronze medal winners from last year.
“Well, we’re definitely younger,” said Burns. “Our team last year was heavy with fourth- or fifth-year players. I think that for this year’s team, we’re going to score by committee.”
Having a well-rounded team will be integral for the Marauders in their 2017-2018 campaign. Burns notes that though the team possesses all-star players, having a good supporting cast on both offence and defence will pay dividends for the team.
“We have some people that are going to garner some all-star looks: Linnaea Harper, Hilary Hanaka and Olivia Wilson, in particular,” said Burns. “They’re some of the best players in the league but we also have a great supporting cast that are going to do their fair share of scoring and defence as well.”
Despite evident changes within the landscape of the team, expectations stay the same. With the presence of top-tier facilities and team staff on hand, the players can step forward and aim to achieve these expectations with aid and continuous support.
“We really focus on walking into the gym everyday and focusing on that day and getting better,” Burns stated. “If we operate that way, the results will take care of themselves. We have a fantastic strength and conditioning staff that works with our group. They have the team so well-prepared in strength and fitness. We try to give all support possible.”
With a superb coaching staff and excellent support system behind them, the new-look Marauders will turn to Queen’s University to build off their opening night success. Mac will face the Gaels on Nov. 3 for what promises to be the next step in a successful season.
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Basketball started early this year for the men’s team as they saw some preseason non-conference action during the Marauders’ homecoming festivities.
These games offered an opportunity for the Marauders to debut several new players along with the Marauders’ brand new head coach Patrick Tatham. Coach Tatham arrived in Hamilton early this May and has been working hard behind the scenes ever since.
“I always said if I was going to leave Ryerson it would be for Mac. So I’m kind of living the dream right now,” said Tatham.
Tatham’s impressive basketball history includes playing for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Cleveland State University and as a member of the Canadian Junior Men’s National Team. He also played three professional seasons in Switzerland, Syria, Qatar and Germany and added a U Sports 2016 Coach of the Year award following his career as a player.
Tatham came prepared to bring the Marauders to a new level. “I’ve always been a defensively-minded player and carried that with me into coaching,” he said. “Right off the bat, I think we’re going to be very tough and gritty and very quick on defence.”
Coach Tatham started off the team’s training with a week-long boot camp during the last week of August, and although their first games proved they have a lot of work to do, he believes the team has been adjusting quite well.
"Right now we're just going to put our hard hats on and get after it game after game."
Patrick Tatham
Head coach
“That week showed me that they really want to work hard,” Tatham said. “The next week was a mini-training camp and it was literally four days of all defence. They have been responding very well to the defence-minded thoughts that I have”.
Although it is still too early to tell, Tatham is hoping that with hard work the Marauders can shock teams across Ontario University Athletics.
“We didn’t really finish in a great position last year,” said Tatham. “But I do want to surprise a lot of people in the OUA West and the OUA East. Right now we’re just going to put our hard hats on and get after it game after game.”
To do this, Tatham has recruited several players, including shooting guard-forward combo Sasha Simic from Kitchener, ON and former NCAA D-I player Miles Seward.
“Everyone could really expect to see Sasha as a hybrid four,” said Tatham. “And Miles is just a flat-out scorer. He’s going to be so exciting to watch.”
So far this has proven to be true. In their first two preseason wins, Simic has shown great versatility while Seward has lit up the court with his shooting ability.
But the team still has a lot to work on, as was shown during a brutal 103-63 loss to Laval University, these challenges were no surprise to coach Tatham.
"All the guys love him. He's very energetic and he's one of those guys that likes to get us hyped up."
David McCulloch
Men's Basketball team
“They’re still trying to get used to me and how I coach,” Tatham said. “Whether it’s yelling or getting into their ear or getting into their face, I’m going to be faced with challenges where sometimes they may not respond or maybe they won’t be used to the coaching that I’m going to instill on them”.
Another challenge coach Tatham hopes to turn around is the lack of hype and disinterest towards the program and the basketball culture at Mac.
“I think that’s one area where we struggle with a little bit,” said Tatham. “One of our managers, Robert Rawson, is really kind of owning our social media presence so I’m excited for that too.”
Above all, coach Tatham hopes to leave a long-lasting impact on his players.
“I’ll never forget it,” remembered Tatham. “My coach when I was in school at Cleveland State University used to say: ‘we’re the last line of defence for all these young men before they leave to go off into the real world’.”
He believes that if he can train them on how to work hard on the basketball court or in the weight room, he can also guide them to have good characteristics that help them to be young men when they finish university.
“Those little things are the things that I take pride in so that hopefully when they’re done here in two, three or four years, they can use those skills when they’re young men,” said Tatham.
Coach Tatham brings a new excitement to Marauders basketball this season. His passion for the sport cannot be hidden which is exciting to watch for both fans and players alike.
“All the guys love him. He’s very energetic and he’s one of those guys that likes to get us hyped up,” said fourth-year player David McCulloch. “That’s why I really like him as a coach because he makes me want to play for him. But at the same time, he’s also very tough and he’s straight up with you”.
With so many changes going into the new season the Marauders are still adapting, but they plan to use the four preseason games left to shake off the jitters before the regular season starts.
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She is McMaster’s all-time leader in points and steals. Third on the Ontario University Athletics’ all-time scoring list. A two-time U Sports All-Canadian first team member. OUA player of the year, OUA Defensive Player of the Year and, as of last week, the first Marauder ever to win the Nan Coop U Sports National Player of the Year.
You would be hard-pressed to find a better resumé in all of McMaster history, or have a conversation about the greatest of all-time without putting Danielle Boiago at the top of the list. But as bright as the spotlight on Boiago has been since she first arrived at McMaster, there is more to her than the titles beneath her name.
Never one to boast about her accomplishments, there is also a player, a person, who has been a part of her program and this community for five years, known only by the people closest to her.
So as we look back on an incredible career, it seems only fair to introduce the person few fans ever got the chance to meet.
The Role Model
“I remember before I signed with McMaster I went to go see the girl’s team play against Brock at Brock University,” said Jelena Mamic, a fourth-year guard on the women’s team.
“As I was sitting in the stands, Danielle automatically stood out to me. Not only was she this first year starting for a varsity team, she was an absolute threat on the court. I remember Mac had the final shot of the game in order to win or lose and Danielle sank a 3-point shot that was probably three feet away from the actual three-point line with seconds left. After seeing that I knew I’d want to play with her and learn from her. She had the confidence and skill of any fifth year player and she was only in her first year.”
As easy as it is to see the influence Boiago has had on her teammates on the court (averaging 4.3 assists per game, third most in the OUA this year), but it these moments that have often gone overlooked. Having such a gifted player can be enough to grab the attention of other talented recruits, drawing like-minded individuals to the program and creating depth in the team, something Boiago has done from the start.
“Danielle was a highly touted recruit for both Canadian and American schools,” said women’s basketball head coach Theresa Burns. “At the end of the day I think she decided she had what she needed here in terms of basketball and academics… and it has turned out wonderfully for the program. To have someone of her calibre here that people could watch and see not just read about if she had gone somewhere else… I think that was good for the basketball community.”
Having coached Boiago alongside assistant coach Anne Marie Thuss for the duration of her career, Burns felt first-hand the impact that watching Danielle could have from when she was still in high school.
“From the first time I saw her play we knew she was special,” said Burns. “Special players have that aura about them on the court, she is pure scorer she could always find a way to put the ball in the net. She could score inside outside, she had that passion and that drive… you could see it from day one.”
The Workhorse
“I think the thing that will always stick out to me about Danielle the most is her dedication,” said Rachael Holmes, a fellow fifth-year guard.
“Whether it was a Sunday afternoon after a weekend, 7 a.m. on a Tuesday in the off-season or an hour after practice, you could always find Danielle in the gym.”
When you see someone as skilled as Boiago, it can be easy to assume that their level of play is just a product of their natural talent. But talent can only take a player so far if it is not developed. With a tireless work ethic, Danielle was always the type of person to keep pushing herself further, and nothing speaks to that better than her progress over the years. Since 2012, Danielle has improved in almost every statistical category including assists (2.0 to 4.3), three-point shots per game (1.9 to 2.7), points per game (15 to 19) and field goal percentage (29.7 to 44.1).
Danielle automatically stood out to me. Not only was she this first year starting for a varsity team, she was an absolute threat on the court.
Jelena Mamic
Fourth-year guard,
Women's basketball
“There is a lot of talent in the OUA,” said Holmes. “There are a lot of extremely hard workers in the OUA. When you combine those two attributes that is when you get the really special players — that is how Danielle created a tremendous McMaster career. She became the best because she was talented but never satisfied, she worked every day to elevate her game and elevate the team.”
Take Boiago’s play on the defensive side of the ball as an example. Coming out of high school scouts knew she could score, she was fast and smart but her skill defensively still offered room for improvement. Standing at just five feet and seven inches, some might have questioned how far it could go. But since then Boiago has seen her total number of steals improve from 2.4 to 3.3 per game, best in the OUA. Even more impressive, her rebounds per game improved from 4.5 to 7.0, bested only by players more than half a foot taller.
“She grew every year,” said Coach Burns. “She was never satisfied, always trying to be better and add something to her game. In terms of her skillset, her defense, her leadership… she always added something. That is her work ethic. That is her drive.”
The Teammate
“In every practice and game that we’ve had Danielle always shares her input and gives advice in order for her teammates to improve,” said Mamic. “In practice if she’s defending me or any other player and she sees something we could have done better or smarter she instantly tells us. That’s just the type of person she is. Yes she cares about her own game but she also cares just as much about her teammates, if not more.”
Working with Boiago meant anyone on the team had the chance to improve in the same way that she was. But even teaching was a skill honed overtime.
“In her first year she was pretty quiet, didn’t say a lot,” said coach Burns. “You could see leadership skills but it was more actions providing the leadership… but [since then] she has become more confident. You can see that maturity as a person; she can talk to her teammates and say what needs to be said.”
Hard to believe that someone who speaks volume on the court would ever be considered “quiet,” but personality is just one more aspect of who Boiago has grown to become. Whether it is joking around with teammates after a game or pepping up a rookie who had a rough night, it is the small gestures of her demeanor that really shape the relationships around her.
“It was during exam time in December and Danielle and I had some time to shoot around and workout in the gym.” said Mamic. “We got some shots up for a bit, but then we both made the workout into a competition, where the first one to make five pull ups on each side would win. Even though I don’t like to admit it, Danielle did win… plenty of times. But during the whole thing we would bicker back and forth and try to throw each other off rhythm. We would be mad and frustrated if we did not win a round… it was great… That’s what Danielle did for me. She pushed me, not just on that day, but every day. I will forever be grateful for that.”
“What’s better than being able to play basketball with my close friend and the U Sports Player of the Year?”
The Finale
After one of the best seasons women’s basketball has seen Boiago and her team’s playoff run came to a heartbreaking end this year after a one-point loss to Carleton in the OUA semi-finals. Looking back on an athlete’s career, it is always how they play in the face of adversity that seems to be the most telling, and her performance that night was no exception.
“In the game against Carleton, I remember us being down and looking around and thinking ‘this is going to be tough,’” said Linnaea Harper, a third-year forward. “But as I looked at Dani… her eyes still had that belief in them that they always had. [my belief] we could do it was reassured.”
“I think that’s another thing special about her: her leadership didn’t always necessarily come from her words, but from her confidence. She is very modest, but every time she stepped on the court, she and everyone else around her knew she was the best player on the court and that it would be a battle and fueled our team. In that Carleton game, you could tell the fire in her was the brightest it had ever been. Every time Carleton would make a play, you’d better know that Dani was coming to the other end to drill a three, an and-one, — you name it, she would lead us there.”
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the team fell 55-54 in regulation. But even after a game that could have easily been the OUA final, with a result that could have fallen either way, Boiaga was not the player to just walk away on the strength of her own efforts. She took the time to rally her team and leave them with a message that with resonate for years to come.
“Along with the other graduating seniors, [their message] was that we believe in our hearts we gave it everything we had,” said Burns. “We are so happy to be a part of this… and [we] hope they left the program in a better place. I know for Danielle she certainly has. What she has accomplished is just phenomenal. To put up the stats she has, to be the leader in points and steals…it is just crazy how amazing it is. To say we are proud of her… it doesn’t even come close.”
The Friend
“One game I remember taking a charge,” said third-year guard Erin Burns. “Danielle was the first one to sprint all the way from across the floor to pick me up and give me pat on the back and high five. That is just the kind of player and team leader that she is. If a teammate falls down she is there to pick you up.”
For all of her incredible games and statistical performances, if there is one quality that stats will never be able to capture, it is way Boiaga treats her teammates. It doesn’t matter who you ask, if there is one thing every story about her has in common it is the genuine love she shared for those around her.
“She is just a really special person. As a third-year walk-on who doesn’t get many minutes, whenever I did something well on the court, Danielle would be the first one on her feet giving me a standing ovation and smiling from ear to ear,” said Adrienne Peters. While she was very humble about her own accomplishments, she never let someone else’s accomplishment go unrecognized… I think that’s one quality that sets her apart from other competitors in our league.
So as we say goodbye to one of the best of all-time, it is only right that we look back on the person beyond the numbers. The role-model, the workhorse, the teammate, the friend.
Farewell Danielle, we hardly knew thee.
By: Justin Parker
It is amazing how much one year of hard work can pay off.
Third-year forward Connor Gilmore was named as an Ontario University Athletics First-Team All-Star this year, his first major individual award since joining the Marauders. Gilmore has solidified himself as a strong leader on and off the court.
“It’s a big honour for me. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Gilmore said. “I’ve been put in a good position at this school to be successful. A lot of it had to do with the type of guys we had on the team, the way our team played… Just wanting to play hard for my teammates made it easy to be in a position to earn the award… My parents… I couldn’t do anything without them.”
After major roster changes, including the departure of seniors Leon Alexander and Aaron Redpath, Gilmore was thrust into a larger role. An off-season of hard work and another year of maturity allowed Gilmore to step into this vacancy and capitalize on his increased minutes, where he saw his points and rebounds averages double to 19.5 and 9 per game respectively.
“I think I was ready to step in and be a bigger contributor this year,” Gilmore said. “We had a lot of good players in the years past, so it was harder to be that guy. I just took advantage of an opportunity… I just wanted to do everything I could to play.”
Next year, Gilmore will look to build on his leadership abilities from this season along with starting guard Dave McCulloch. The two third-year players made a good mix in leading the team to the OUA quarterfinals despite the team’s struggles during the regular season.
“I’m more of the aggressive, get on guys in practice [person], Dave’s really good at calming guys down, teaching them what needs to be taught,” Gilmore said. “I think they look at me like the meaner guy, but you need a guy like that on the team. I want everyone to succeed so sometimes you need to push them… just wanting to make them better as players, and as people sometimes too. Me and Dave are a good mix like that – kind of a good cop, bad cop kind of deal.”
Coming off his first year as the team’s top player, Gilmore knows he needs to hold himself up to the same standards he holds his teammates to. Even in having a career year, there’s always more work to do in preparation for next season.
“Now that I can drive, I can shoot… I need to work on dribble counter moves, different ways to score around the basket,” Gilmore said. “I’m also working on my defence for the summer, as that’s kind of been… one of the weaker parts of my game. I’m sticking around here all summer… so I’ll have lots of individual time to spend with the coaches, the strength and conditioning staff, to achieve those goals.”
The Marauders once again have high hopes for next year and are acting now to achieve their goals. The team will have a busy off-season recruiting and practicing for next year, and will follow Gilmore’s lead, as they will need to rely on him if they are going to make it far into the post-season.
By: Justin Parker
In a year that began with a promising 10-0 pre-season record and a championship at the Buddha Light International Association Cup in Taiwan, the Marauders’ men’s basketball team fell short of cracking the Ontario University Athletics Final Four.
After a strong win over Windsor in the preliminary round, McMaster lost a tough match to the Carleton Ravens, who would go on to finish second in the tournament. While their record and playoff play does not reflect a bad season, the team did not meet expectations they set up at the beginning of the year.
“There were really positive experiences that came from the year, but we’re competitive by nature,” head coach Amos Connolly said. “Some programs would consider our record a step forward, but for us it’s not. After a pretty strong start, we didn’t have any thought that we would have a losing record in the conference.”
McMaster finished the 2016/2017 campaign with an 8-11 conference record, including a crushing 2-8 record on the road. The Marauders struggled with their consistency to close out games. Basketball is a game of runs, and the Marauders often found themselves on the wrong side of them.
While it manifested itself in different ways, from poor shooting to unforced turnovers, the Marauders would sometimes succumb to fatigue that would ultimately cost them the game. When top players were forced out of action due to injury, the Marauders could not replace those minutes as well as they were able to in past seasons.
Despite falling short of expectations, the Marauders have players moving forward who will be the foundation for next year’s team.
Third-year forward Connor Gilmore finished the season in the OUA’s top five in points (19.5) and rebounds (nine) per game, using his size to be a dominating force on the court, good enough to earn him a spot on the OUA First-Team All-Star list.
Third-year player David McCulloch finished the season with 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. A model of consistency, he lead the team in 36.6 minutes per game while starting every single game the team played this season.
“We did manage to get some really strong leadership from Dave [McCulloch] and Connor [Gilmore],” Connolly said. “There is absolutely no question it is their basketball team now.”
This season may have ended on a sour note, but the Marauders are primed to have a strong 2017/2018 season and are already looking forward to what is next. Between a strong coaching staff that will help to maintain consistency and with returning leaders in Gilmore and McCulloch, the Marauders look to hit the hardwood running next season.
“Although there were some tough spots and some challenges I think that the guys did a really good job of staying the course, and remaining committed and true to the team in the midst of that,” Connolly said. “That lays the groundwork for success moving forward.”
There are a lot of words you could use to describe the events of championship weekend: “almost,” “what if,” “I thought they had it.”
All phrases bound to surface in the upcoming weeks, all dripping with a different type of agony that comes from being close, only to fall short at the final hurdle.
The Ontario University Athletics semi-final with the Carleton Ravens was decided by just one point in a four-quarter thriller that came down to the Marauders’ final possession.
After trailing by 10 points late in the second, Mac charged back on the strength of OUA Player of the Year Danielle Boiago, who scored three straight shots from deep to open scoring in the third. Boiago finished with 26 points on the night, to go along with 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks, a fitting end to her final weekend of OUA play.
By the start of the fourth Mac was still down one, but a run of quick fouls put them in the bonus with seven minutes remaining.
Down two with four minutes to go, a deep three from Mac’s second leading scorer Linnaea Harper put them back in the lead. What followed was three minutes of fast-paced play that saw Harper and Carleton stand-out Heather Lindsey exchange baskets until an offensive foul with 1:06 on the game clock caused Harper to foul out, leaving her to watch the remainder of the game from the sideline.
Neither team would capitalize in the following possessions, but a final turnover by Lindsey meant the Marauders would have the ball in their front court, in bonus, with 27 seconds left in the game. True to form, Carleton played their grittiest defense of the night, forcing Mac’s Rachael Holmes to settle for a deep three with time expiring.
The shot would miss the mark.
While the season may be over, and the hopes of lifting a Critelli Cup reserved for another year, it is only fair to salute the Marauders for the tireless grit and determination they displayed this season.
Carleton would go on to the play the top-ranked seed Queen’s in the final, besting them 49-41 in front of a sell-out crowd, and winning the OUA championship for the first time in their program’s history. Mac would be left to compete for bronze in a matchup against the Windsor Lancers for the second year in a row.
Mac was also left to play without third-year guard Erin Burns, who broke her collarbone in the final play against Carleton, and second-year guard Jelena Mamic, who went down with a head injury early and would not return until later in the game.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first-half, but Windsor would heat up in the third, going on a 10-0 run to start the quarter. Although Mac would cut the lead to four, Windsor’s offensive would be too much to handle as the Marauders fell 75-64.
The loss to Windsor would be the final game for seniors Boiago and Harper, who lead the team in scoring with 18 and 17 points respectively. Clare Kenney, Rachael Holmes and Vanessa Pickard also capped of their careers with Mac, posting strong performances in both games.
In the end, there are many words you could use to describe the weekend’s events. But there is also one that should not be overlooked: Proud.
What the Marauders were able to accomplish over the course of their 18-win season was nothing short of incredible. Not only did fans see a strong contingent of veteran players rally for one final shot at the title, they saw a team who weren’t afraid to play with their hearts on their sleeve, giving everything they had until the final buzzer.
While the season may be over, and the hopes of lifting a Critelli Cup reserved for another year, it is only fair to salute the Marauders for the tireless grit and determination they displayed all season.
It has been a pleasure rooting for you.
