NOFUENTE REPEATS AS FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Play Video

NOFUENTE REPEATS AS FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The OCAA has had the privilege of seeing some of the greatest female athletes in numerous sports compete over the last half century.  During the 1996-97 season, the Association realized the importance of honouring the best individual performances each season.  Since the inception of the award, no female athlete had received this prestigious award in consecutive seasons until Ceejay Nofuente.

April 27, 2017
Courtesy of OCAA Media Communications

TORONTO, Ont -- The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) proudly recognizes Humber College women's basketball student-athlete Ceejay Nofuente as its 2016-17 OCAA Female Athlete of the Year.

Nofuente (Toronto) becomes the first person to be named OCAA Athlete of the Year in consecutive seasons. She repeated as OCAA Player of the Year and OCAA Championship MVP in women's basketball, as well as Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of the Year and All-Canadian.
 
During the 2016-17 regular season, the fourth-year point guard once again led the OCAA with 124 assists and 101 steals while contributing a team-leading 21.9 points per game. Beyond the arch, no player scored more than Nofuente, who drained an OCAA-high 65 three-pointers. Already Humber's all-time leading scorer, the West Division First-Team All-Star set new OCAA single-game records with 55 points and 13 three-pointers in a 92-62 win over Redeemer on Jan. 11. She also contributed 139 rebounds. Humber won the West Division title, going 18-0.
 
At provincials, Nofuente averaged 25 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 steals over three games. She earned a double-double in the OCAA gold medal game, scoring 25 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in Humber's 76-40 win over Mohawk. Nofuente was named OCAA Championship MVP as Humber won its third straight OCAA title.

Nofuente and the Hawks then travelled to nationals in Edmonton where she was honoured as the CCAA Player of the Year for the second straight season. Her dreams of a second consecutive national championship ended shortly after, however, as Humber lost its opening game of the tournament.

The Hawks rallied, however, to win the bronze medal, as Nofuente was twice named Player of the Game. Nofuente scored 89 points in four games, 31 of which came in the bronze medal game where she was one rebound shy of her second double-double. She was named a CCAA Championship First-Team All-Star. Humber became the first OCAA women's basketball program to earn CCAA medals in consecutive championships.

"Ceejay's accomplishments over the past two years are unmatched in the history of the OCAA," praised Humber Athletic Director Ray Chateau. "She is an exceptionally gifted student-athlete, who possesses an unbelievable skill set combined with a great mind for the game. Although she is one of the best shooters in the CCAA, her real strength is as a playmaker. A strong leader by example, she practices, prepares and plays with tremendous intensity and focus."

Throughout the OCAA season, Humber plays host to multiple basketball camps for all ages. The first student-athlete to donate her time, give back and make a meaningful contribution to the community is Nofuente. She has been inspirational to countless young athletes, demonstrating success is a product of hard work, dedication, and determination.

Nofuente becomes the eighth consecutive student-athlete from Humber to be awarded OCAA Female Athlete of the Year. She is the fourth women's basketball player to be named OCAA Female Athlete of the Year, along with Redeemer University College's Anita Kralt and Seneca College's Ashley Docking and Natasha Thombs.