HAWKS CEEJAY NOFUENTE MAKES OCAA HISTORY
WINDSOR, ON: In the midst of potentially the greatest season in Humber basketball history, Ceejay Nofuente has been named the 2016 National Player of the Year, as announced by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) committee Wednesday evening.
The coveted award was presented to Nofuente at the annual CCAA All-Canadian Banquet in Windsor, On., as part of the 2016 National Championship. Since the awards inception in 1978, no student-athlete from a current school within the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has garnered this prestigious honour, making history for Nofuente and Humber basketball. Danielle D'Ettorre of Algoma was named CCAA player of the year in 2007, while playing in the OCAA, but Algoma left the OCAA a few years back.
It was a special moment for Nofuente, not only due to the award's importance, but also because her teammates and coaches were on hand to see her receive it.
After an outstanding second season and CCAA final four run in 2015, lofty expectations were placed on the recreation and leisure major headed into the 2015-16 season. Nofuente held up her end of the bargain, training all summer long and put together arguably the best season in program history. Already this year, Nofuente has been named an All-Canadian, OCAA women's basketball player of the year, championship most valuable player, and first-team all-star.
Simply put, Nofuente did it all for Humber this season. She was the only player in the OCAA to average at least 14.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 steals per game. On the season, the five-foot-nine point guard from Toronto led the Hawks in points (14.3), rebounds (8.7), assists (6.4), steals (4.5), and free throws (63). Nofuente led Humber to the OCAA regular season and tournament championships two seasons in a row, while helping the Hawks capture the second 21-0 season in program history.
This breakout for Nofuente was two years in the making, after her first season was cut short due to a knee injury. After months of hard work and therapy, Nofuente caught everyone's attention last year with a consensus first-team all-star season in which she led the Hawks in steals (38) and assists (80), while finishing with the third most three point field goals made in Humber history.
Other finalists for the award were: Sienna Pollard from VIU (PACWEST), Cameo McKertie from Lakeland College (ACAC), Jenea Barrett from Holland College (ACAA) and Laurie Marchand from Sainte-Foy (RSEQ).
Nofuente and the rest of the Humber Hawks will now attempt to continue their historic run as they attempt to become the first women's program from the OCAA to win a national championship. In their quarter-final matchup, Humber will be playing the St. Mary's Lightning (ACAC) Thursday afternoon at 3:00pm.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS (as of 3/16/2016)
- 2016 CCAA National Player of the Year
- 2016 CCAA All-Canadian
- 2016 OCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year
- 2016 OCAA Championship Most Valuable Player
- 2016 OCAA First-Team All-Star
- 2015 CCAA Championship First All-Tournament Team
- 2015 OCAA Championship First-Team All-Star
- 2015 OCAA First-Team All-Star
- Two-time OCAA Player of the Week
- First in Humber women's basketball history to win National Player of the Year
- The 14th CCAA All-Canadian in program history
- 13th all-time on the career scoring list
- First all-time in career rebounds (262) and assists (225); second all-time in steals (158)
- Owns single-season record in rebounds (157), steals (81), and assists (116)
- Set the Humber record for free throws made in a season (63)
- Her 32 three point field goals made is the third-best single-season mark in Humber history
CAREER (as of 3/16/2016)
- Has never lost an OCAA game – regular or postseason (45-0)
- Owns 31 career double-digit scoring games; seven games of 20+ points
- First Humber Hawk to record an official quadruple-double (17/10/10/10 vs Sault Nov.1/15)
- Owns seven career regular season double-doubles
TEAM HONOURS (as of 3/16/2016)
- 2016 OCAA Champions
- 2016 OCAA West Division Champions
- 2015 OCAA Champions
- 2015 OCAA West Division Champions
- 2014 OCAA West Division Champions
|
CAREER STATISTICS (Regular and Postseason) |
|||||||
|
SEASON |
GP |
PTS |
PPG |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
|
2013-14 |
5 |
74 |
14.8 |
24 |
29 |
22 |
1 |
|
2014-15 |
19 |
211 |
11.1 |
97 |
92 |
49 |
4 |
|
2015-16 |
21 |
315 |
15.0 |
175 |
133 |
96 |
19 |
|
Totals |
45 |
600 |
13.3 |
296 |
254 |
167 |
24 |
