Women's Basketball rolls Sheridan for first win of the season

By Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications

BRAMPTON - Looking to rebound from their opening loss to the Niagara Knights last Sunday, Humber women's basketball went to Brampton on Wednesday night (Oct 23rd) to face the Sheridan Bruins and return to the winning track. And despite the inherent pressure of the game, that's exactly what happened. With a convincing team performance, Coach Nofuente's squad defeated the home team 73-49 at the Davis Campus Gymnasium, home of the Bruins. With the victory in hand and a return to tranquillity, the team now prepares for their home opener at the Humber Athletic Centre (North Campus) next Wednesday (Oct 30th).

Game Recap

In the first quarter, they started frantically, with both teams trying to find a good offensive balance. With the Bruins' defense giving a lot of space, the Hawks started to rely on three-point shots and were quite effective with Del Mundo, Omere, and Martin, opening up a good lead on the scoreboard. The home team committed many turnovers, repeatedly handing possession back to the Hawks. In the paint, Martin-Brown and Wynter-Josephs dictated the game's rhythm, thwarting all Bruins' attempts to close the gap. With a more cohesive game, the visitors closed the first quarter with an 8-point lead (22-14).

Returning for the second quarter, the Hawks showed even more dominance, with well-executed plays on the perimeter and better clock management. Veteran shooting guard Kia Watt began to stand out, attacking the opposing defence with perfect penetrations and good field goal percentages. The Bruins, on the other hand, struggled to penetrate the defence and began to rely on three-point shots. This strategy worked for a while, and the home team slowly reduced the Hawks' lead. Point guard Kaitlyn Calar stood out by hitting two three-pointers, giving new life to the sky-blue team. With their late-quarter rally, Sheridan went to the locker room with only a 5-point deficit.

But just when things seemed to be getting complicated, the Hawks took control of the game. The third quarter was a complete domination. Nofuente's squad overwhelmed the Bruins with various plays for all tastes. Wareham and Watt shone on the court, hitting beautiful jump shots, while Wynter-Josephs and Martin-Brown continued their dominance near the basket. Del Mundo and Martin remained sharp from beyond the arc, and the lead, five points at halftime, grew to 20 points by the end of the third period. Sheridan scored only four points, all from free throws.

The last quarter was merely a formality. With Sheridan desperate for a comeback that would not come, the Hawks controlled the game and dominated possession. With authority, Nofuente's team extended their plays and managed the clock to close the game at 73-49, securing their first win of the season. With this result, the team gains new momentum for their first home game.

The game's top scorer was senior Kia Watt, who scored 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Other notable players included guards Persia Martin-Brown, with 11 points, Maezell Del Mundo, and Marian Martin, each with two three-pointers. Sarah Baptie was the defensive standout with 11 rebounds. For the Bruins, the top scorers were Kaitlyn Calar (11 points) and Taliyah Copeland (10 points).

What's Next?

Humber's 2024-25 home opener is up next. The Mohawk Mountaineers will visit the North Campus Gym on October 30. Tip-off is set for 6 pm and will be broadcast live on the Humber Sports Network.