The Athenaeum

Tag: basketball

  • McDonald & Veinot named as All-Star, Rice recipient of MacLeod Award

    McDonald & Veinot named as All-Star, Rice recipient of MacLeod Award

    (HALIFAX, N.S.) – Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2019-20 AUS women’s basketball all-stars and major award winners as selected by the conference’s eight head coaches following regular season play.

    Acadia’s Haley McDonald was named to the AUS First Team All-Star squad, while teammate Jayda Veinot was named to the Second Team All-Star list. Senior forward Kelsey Rice was named the AUS Tracy MacLeod Award winner.

    Fourth-year UPEI Panthers guard Jenna Mae Ellsworth of Charlottetown, P.E.I., was named the AUS most valuable player today as well as the AUS defensive player of the year.

    Other AUS major award winners announced were Cape Breton’s Hailey MacLeod of Marion Bridge, N.S., who was named AUS rookie of the year; Acadia’s Kelsey Rice of Beaverbank, N.S., who is the AUS Tracy MacLeod Award Nominee; UNB’s Mikaela Dodig of Bolton, Ont., who received the student-athlete community service award; and Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mark English, who was named AUS coach of the year for the first time in his career.                                   

    MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI Panthers

    Jenna Mae Ellsworth, a five-foot-10 guard with the UPEI Panthers, is the Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball most valuable player.

    A fourth-year science student from Charlottetown, P.E.I., Ellsworth led the Panthers with 20.5 point per game this season. She averaged 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

    UPEI finished in first place in the regular season standings with a 17-3 record and have earned a bye through to the playoff semifinals.

    In addition to being named conference MVP, she also earned defensive player of the year honours and a place on the AUS first team all-star squad today.

    This marks the first time Ellsworth has been named an AUS first team all-star. She is a three-time AUS second team all-star and also earned rookie of the year nods and a place on the AUS all-rookie team in her inaugural season with the Panthers in 2016-17.

    With 1,231 career points scored in four seasons, she now sits tied for second in UPEI school history with a year of eligibility remaining.

    Ellsworth is just the third player in UPEI history to earn the conference MVP award and the first since 1998-99 when former Panthers standout Jennifer Johnston won the award. The only other UPEI player to be named AUS MVP was Paula Edwards in 1985-86.

    Ellsworth now becomes the AUS nominee for the Nan Copp Award for U SPORTS player of the year.

    Only two players from the AUS conference have earned the national honour: Acadia’s Paloma Anderson who took home the award in 2017-18 season, and Saint Mary’s Justine Colley who earned back-to-back Nan Copp awards in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

    ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Hailey MacLeod, Cape Breton Capers

    Hailey MacLeod of the Cape Breton Capers is the AUS women’s basketball rookie of the year.

    A five-foot-11 forward from Marion Bridge, N.S., MacLeod made an immediate impact with the Capers this season, starting in eight games and playing in all 20.

    She boasted the second-best field goal percentage in the conference (50.8) and averaged 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season.

    In a Feb. 8 game versus Saint Mary’s, MacLeod posted a career-high 31 points and 12 rebounds.

    Along with being honoured as the conference’s top rookie, she also earned a place on the AUS all-rookie team.

    She is the fifth player from the Capers to earn the honour as the conference’s top rookie. Former Cape Breton winners include Alison Keough (2013-14), Colleen Keane (2012-13), Amanda Fisher (1998-99) and Janice Moseychuck (1994-95).

    MacLeod will now represent the conference as the AUS nominee for the Kathy Shields Award for U SPORTS rookie of the year.

    Alison Keough is only player from the Capers to ever win the national rookie of the year award.

    DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI Panthers

    Jenna Mae Ellsworth of the UPEI Panthers women’s basketball team is the 2019-20 AUS defensive player of the year in addition to earning the conference’s top honour as AUS MVP.

    The fourth-year guard from Charlottetown, P.E.I. led the Panthers with 2.1 steals per game. She also averaged 3.8 defensive rebounds per game.

    UPEI boasted the most effective defence in the conference this season, limiting their opponents to an AUS-best 61.9 points per game.

    This marks the third consecutive year a player from the Panthers has been named AUS defensive player of the year. Teammate Carolina Del Santo earned the honour the past two seasons.

    Ellsworth will now become the Atlantic conference nominee for the U SPORTS defensive player of the year award.

    Former Saint Mary’s Huskies standout Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse earned the national honour in 2015-16. She is the only AUS player to ever be honoured with the U SPORTS award.

    TRACY MACLEOD AWARD NOMINEE: Kelsey Rice, Acadia Axewomen

    Kelsey Rice of the Acadia Axewomen is the 2019-20 nominee for the U SPORTS Tracy MacLeod Award.

    This award rewards a women’s basketball player who demonstrates determination, perseverance and unwavering spirit to continue playing the game of basketball.

    A fifth-year forward from Beaverbank, N.S., Rice has displayed resilience and passion for the game throughout a five-year AUS career plagued with injuries.

    Throughout her first four seasons, she suffered multiple concussions which sidelined her several times. Last season, after missing 12 games in the second half following a concussion, she was medically cleared to return to play in the final regular season game.

    At the AUS championship, she played in all three games, helping the Axewomen to their second straight conference title.

    Unfortunately, during Acadia’s final game of the U SPORTS championship last season, Rice suffered an ACL tear which she had to undergo surgery to repair in May 2019.

    This season, she spent months rehabbing the injury, determined to return to play. She was medically cleared in February and played in Acadia’s final three regular season games.

    “Kelsey has shown an extraordinary amount of resilience and a pure love for the game of basketball,” said Acadia head coach Len Harvey. “Kelsey was an AUS all-rookie team member in her first year, and though much of her career potential has been derailed due to her concussions and her ACL injury, she remains as steadfast as ever to return to play the game she loves during her final year of university.”

    “Kelsey’s toughness and desire to return to play are inspiring,” said Harvey. “Through it all, she has kept her wonderful, positive attitude and has been relentless in her pursuit of getting back on the court.”

    Rice’s win marks the second consecutive year a player from the Axewomen has earned this honour. Lanae Adams won the AUS award for Acadia last season and went on to earn the national honour.

    Rice now becomes the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Tracy MacLeod Award. Prior to Adams’ win last season, the only other AUS players to take home the national honour have been Memorial’s Brittany Dalton (2010-11) and Dalhousie’s Janet Wells (1999-00).


    STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Mikaela Dodig, UNB Reds

    Fourth-year UNB guard Mikaela Dodig is the 2019-20 recipient of the AUS student-athlete community service award and the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Sylvia Sweeney award.

    A five-foot-six guard from Bolton, Ont., Dodig has achieved success on the basketball court and in the classroom, while also being heavily involved in the community.

    She started in all 20 games for the Reds this season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season.

    Following this season, she now sits second in UNB history with 113 career three-point field goals made.

    She was named an AUS second team all-star today for the second consecutive season. She was also named to the AUS all-rookie team in her inaugural season with UNB in 2016-17.

    Dodig holds a 4.1 GPA and has maintained academic all-Canadian status since her arrival at UNB.

    Her extensive volunteer efforts include founding and co-chairing the first student-led Women in Sport conference to be held at UNB. The conference, which aims to empower, educate and support girls and women as participants and leaders in sport, is set for April 4, 2020.

    She serves as vice president of the athlete’s council on campus and initiated the She is Active program with the Reds—a day where young girls join Reds varsity student-athletes to play various sports.

    She is a member of SAMHI (Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative) on campus and she is a volunteer at the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

    Dodig has also served as a volunteer coach for multiple teams, including the U17 provincial team and the Jr. Reds U13 team.

    She is the fourth player from the Reds to take home this honour and the first since 2011-12 when Melissa Foster won the award. Other winners from UNB include Amanda Sharpe (2010-11) and Emily Murphy (2005-06)

    Dodig now becomes the AUS nominee for the U SPORTS Sylvia Sweeney Award.

    AUS student-athletes have taken home the national honour in three of the past four seasons. UPEI’s Kiera Rigby won the award in 2017-18, Acadia’s Katie Ross took home the honours in 2016-17 and Dalhousie’s Ainsley MacIntyre won in 2015-16.

    DR. CAROLYN SAVOY AWARD (AUS COACH OF THE YEAR): Mark English, Memorial Sea-Hawks

    Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mark English has been chosen by his peers as the recipient of the Dr. Carolyn Savoy Memorial Award for AUS coach of the year for the first time in his career.

    In his fifth season at the help of the program, Coach English led the Sea-Hawks to a 13-7 regular season record and a third-place finish in the AUS standings.

    The Memorial squad averaged 75.7 points per game this season—good for second best in the conference.

    Last season, the Sea-Hawks finished as runners up at the AUS championship after entering the playoffs as a No. 5 seed and upsetting the fourth-seeded UNB Reds in the quarterfinals and No. 1-seeded Cape Breton Capers in the semifinals.

    English now becomes the Atlantic conference nominee for the U SPORTS coach of the year award.

    Saint Mary’s head coach Scott Munro is the most recent AUS coach to win the national award. He took home the honour in 2012-13. 

    FIRST AND SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

    The Atlantic University Sport first and second team all-stars were also announced today, along with this year’s all-rookie team.

    First Team All-Stars
    Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI (4th year – Charlottetown, P.E.I.)

    Haille Nickerson, Memorial (5th year – Grimsby, Ont.)
    Haley McDonald, Acadia (4th year – Port Williams, N.S.)
    Reese Baxendale, UPEI (3rd year – Sussex, N.B.)
    MacKenzee Ryan, Cape Breton (3rd year – Glace Bay, N.S.)

    Second Team All-Stars
    Jayda Veinot, Acadia (2nd year – Port Williams, N.S.)
    Mikaela Dodig, UNB (4th year – Bolton, Ont.)
    Alaina McMillan, Saint Mary’s (2nd year – Brantford, Ont.)
    Alana Short, Memorial (2nd year – Barrie, Ont.)

    Monique Calliste – Cape Breton (4th year – Toronto, Ont.)

    All-Rookie Team:
    Hailey MacLeod, Cape Breton (Marion Bridge, N.S.)
    Aliyah Fraser, StFX (New Glasgow, N.S.)
    Lucina Beaumont, Saint Mary’s (Fredericton, N.B.)
    Chloe Wilson, Dalhousie (Dartmouth, N.S.)
    Lauren Rainford, UPEI (Toronto, Ont.)

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics 

  • Axewomen fall short in three-peating as AUS champions

    Axewomen fall short in three-peating as AUS champions

    HALIFAX, N.S. – The UPEI Panthers are AUS champions after defeating the Acadia Axewomen by a score of 78-59 in Sunday’s Subway AUS Women’s Basketball Championship final. This mark’s the Panthers’ first conference banner since the 1997-98 season.

    AUS first team all-star Reese Baxendale led the way for the Panthers with 25 points on 9-of-20 from the floor, including 5-of-12 from three. She also contributed seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in the effort, winning her Championship MVP, Subway Player of the Game honours and a place on the tournament all-star team.

    Acadia was led in scoring by AUS first team all-star Haley McDonald who chipped in 18 points (7-of-23 from the floor, 1-of-8 from three), four assists, three rebounds and three steals in the loss.

    Acadia opened the game’s scoring with a driving layup by Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau, however the Axewomen struggled to knock down some long jumpers early, going 0-for-5 from three over the first 10 minutes.

    McDonald led the way for Acadia with seven first-quarter points, helping the Axewomen to an 18-17 lead heading to the second.

    The Panthers led by as many as six points in the opening quarter as AUS first team all-star Reese Baxendale found her shot early, matching McDonald’s seven points on 3-of-4 shooting while picking up three assists in the opening frame.

    AUS most valuable player, defensive player of the year, and first team all-star Jenna Mae Ellsworth, who was held to two points in the opening quarter, knocked down two threes at the beginning of the second on her way to 10 points in the quarter, and helped UPEI take a 37-31 lead into halftime.

    Baxendale and Ellsworth led all scorers at the break with 12 apiece for the Panthers, while McDonald and Clouatre-Trudeau led the Axewomen with nine points each.

    Mia Roberts started the third quarter on a mission, scoring eight straight Axewomen points over the first five minutes of the second half, but the Panthers always had an answer, keeping Acadia at bay.

    UPEI’s defence, anchored by Ellsworth, held the prolific-scoring McDonald in check through three quarters with 13 points on 5-of-17 from the field and 0-for-5 from deep.

    Baxendale continued to score well in the third with seven in the quarter en route to 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting heading into the fourth as the Panthers led the Axewomen 54-47 with just 10 minutes to play.

    Acadia began the fourth showing full-court pressure on defence, turning a couple of UPEI turnovers into easy points at the rim and cutting the lead down to three points with 7:07 to play, but Baxendale immediately knocked down yet another timely three, pushing the lead back to six.

    The Panthers refused to be denied, though, as they ended the game on a 16-0 run that began at the 5:12 mark, holding the Axewomen scoreless over the final 5:42 of the game, and ending the game with their biggest lead at 19 points.

    This is the Panthers’ first women’s basketball banner since the 1997-98 season. 

    Tournament all-stars for the women’s event are Memorial’s Haille Nickerson, UNB’s Michaela Dodig, Acadia’s Haley McDonald and UPEI’s Ellsworth and Baxendale.

    The Panthers will travel to Ottawa, Ont. for the U SPORTS Final 8 women’s basketball championship being co-hosted by the University of Ottawa and Carleton March 5-8.

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics. Acad

  • Axewomen split weekend vs Capers with a 79-60 win

    Axewomen split weekend vs Capers with a 79-60 win

    SYDNEY, NS – In Sunday afternoon basketball action, the Cape Breton Capers hosted the Acadia Axewomen at the Sullivan Field House in Sydney. The Axewomen were able to earn a weekend split by handing the CAPERS a 79-60 defeat.

    The CAPERS were unable to stop the Axewomen offence in the first quarter and gave up 29 points. The CAPERS couldn’t mount much offence in response and only put up 15 in the first quarter. It was more of the same in the second quarter as Acadia was scoring at will and took a huge 51-27 lead into half-time.

    The CAPERS got off to a rough start in the second half as well and at one-point Acadia held CBU without a point for 5 minutes. The CAPERS did come alive in the 4th and outscored Acadia 20-11 in the final quarter but it was much too little too late. Acadia had better numbers in all shooting categories. They were also dominant on the defensive end forcing 18 turnovers and getting 10 steals.

    The CAPERS were led in scoring Monique Calliste (Toronto, ON) with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Audrey Rankin (Prince George’s County, MD) also had a strong showing in her final home game as a CAPER. The 5th-year senior put up 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds despite the loss.

    The Axewomen were once again led in scoring by current AUS scoring leader Haley MacDonald who had an efficient 21 points to go along with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Acadia also received a strong game from Jayda Veinot who had 20 points and 4 rebounds in the victory. Rachel Cloutare-Trudeau, 13 and Mia Roberts, 10 also hit double figures for the victors.

    The Axewomen’s Haley MacDonald was named the Subway Player of the Game. Acadia remains in 1st place with a record of 15-4 with the win. The CAPERS fall to 8-11 on the year and are in 5th place.

    The Axewomen wrap up their regular season on Wednesday, February 19th when they host Saint Mary’s at 6 pm. The CAPERS play their last regular-season game Friday, February 21st when they travel to Antigonish to take on ST.FX at 6 pm.  All the action can be seen on AUSTV.CA.

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.

  • Axewomen lose first game of regular season to Memorial

    Axewomen lose first game of regular season to Memorial

    JOHN’S, NL – The Memorial Sea-Hawks split the series against the Acadia Axewomen after their win Sunday, 87-79. 

    The Axewomen were leading at the end of the first half. It was an exceptionally competitive half of basketball. No one player truly dominated in the first twenty minutes of action. Both teams were struggling to score, due to both teams locking down on defense. Acadia shot 36% from the field, whereas MUN shot 29%. Acadia held a four point lead at half, 37-33. 

    Haley McDonald and Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau both had 10 points for Acadia at halftime. Alana Short had 10 points for the Hawks at the half. It was fairly balanced scoring for both teams. 

    The second half was an incredible display of competition, hustle, and grit. The Axewomen opened up the half on a 12-2 run. MUN weathered the storm and made a solid comeback, bringing the score back to a one-point difference at the end of the third. Tempers flared in the third, with both coaches earning technical fouls. It was a tense competition from the tip-off to the final whistle. 

    The fourth quarter was an impressive display of teamwork and execution for the Hawks, going on a solid 7-0 run, taking the lead. The Hawks managed to maintain control of the game in the final frame with multiple role players stepping up in the clutch. 

    Innes Salat Margarit, Hannah Green, and Sammi Deakin-Sharpe all contributed massively off the bench. Sammi Deakin-Sharpe earned herself player-of-the-game commendations off 17 points. Alana Short was the top scorer for MUN today, posting 25 points. 

    For the Axewomen, Haley McDonald, Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau, and Sarsha Cadle were the bright spots. Cadle posted another solid double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds. McDonald was Acadia’ top scorer with 25. Cloautre-Trudeau had a respectable 19 points, and 6 assists. 

    MUN stands 4-2 in the season. They take on St. FX on the road for their next matchup. 

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.

  • Erik Nissen Signs First Professional Contract in Spain

    Erik Nissen Signs First Professional Contract in Spain

    Slan Sports Management is pleased to announce that Erik Nissen has signed a one-year contract (with a second-year option), with CB Clavijo Logrono in the Spanish LEB Silver League for the 2018-2019 season. 

    Nissen, a 6’9” power forward/center, recently completed an all-star senior season with Acadia University in the Atlantic University Sports Conference (AUS) of USports. Nissen averaged 18.3 points, while leading the AUS in both rebounding and blocks, averaging 10.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. Nissen ranked second nationally in blocks per game and third in rebounds per game. He was named the AUS Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-AUS First Team. Nissen led Acadia to the 2018 USports National Championship Tournament and was selected to represent Canada at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

    A Quispamsis, New Brunswick native, Nissen attended Kennebecasis Valley High School, where he was a three-sport star, also competing in volleyball and rowing. Nissen then began his collegiate career in 2013 with the University of Maine in the NCAA. In his two seasons at Maine, Nissen provided scoring and rebounding off the bench in a depth role, averaging 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in his freshman year. Nissen then made the move closer to home and joined Acadia University for his final three seasons of eligibility. In 2015-2016, Nissen had a strong debut campaign for Acadia, averaging 14.8 points, and 8.4 rebounds per game. He continued to elevate his play the following year, averaging 18.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and a league leading 2.0 blocks per game. His play earned him a spot on the All-AUS Second Team along with a selection to Team Canada for the 2017 FISU Games.

    Nissen is eager to begin his professional career and believes he will have an immediate opportunity to contribute with Clavijo.

    “I couldn’t be more excited to start my pro career with Clavijo,” said Nissen. “I’m looking forward to working with world class talent and coaching, while getting to know Logroño.”

    For more information and individual box scores for Erik throughout the season, visit http://slansportsmanagement.com/erik-nissen.

    About Slan Sports Management

    Slan Sports Management Limited (SSM) is a dynamic NBPA, FIBA and WNBA licensed firm dedicated to building and managing the careers of elite basketball players. SSM has negotiated contracts for its clients in over twenty countries around the world and continues to be a leader in the basketball representation business. To learn more, visit: http://slansportsmanagement.com.

    Please contact:  

    Matt Slan

    President, Slan Sports Management

    Phone: 416.219.4946

    Email: [email protected]

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