Two teammates on the Rams women’s basketball team were acknowledged for their achievements this season by Ontario University Athletics.
On Feb. 23, Jenny Hobbs, a second-year geographic analysis student, was awarded a place on the second team all-stars list and Angela Tilk, a first-year international economics student, was placed on the all-rookie team list.
The awards recognize a player’s achievement throughout the season.
“Now we are starting to get the respect from the OUA that I think we deserve, because we have competed with a lot of the best teams in the league,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs, a guard playing in a forward position, finished her season ranking second in points per game with an average of 10 and an average of 4.8 rebounds per game.
She also had 37 steals and 26 assists.
A transfer student from Wilfrid Laurier University, she was thrilled to find out that she was acknowledged by the OUA.
Tilk was recognized for her average of four rebounds per game and her skill on defence. She received the news about the OUA recognition just before the team played Laurentian in the quarter-final. “I felt honoured, and I channelled that energy into the game.”
The team won 74-60, which advanced them to the semis.
“I’m so proud of both of them,” said Lindsay Taylor, a co-captain of the team. “Jenny has worked so hard, so it’s really great to see her win that award and it’s really great to see anyone from Ryerson actually on any of those teams,” she said.
“Angela has done really well too and it’s really great for the team for next year. (It gives) them confidence for next season.”
Two goals for the season were to win more games than they lost and to advance in the playoffs and make it to the semifinal.
Although they fell just short of a .500 record, they were still able to advance to the quarter-final and to the semifinal, where they lost to the University of Toronto by nine points.
With 14 wins and 18 losses this season, up from six and 29 last season, Tilk believes this season changed the image of women’s basketball for the Rams.
Taylor agreed. “I think we get a lot of respect now from the referees and from other schools as well and even around campus too,” Taylor said.
“I’ve found that more people are aware that we have an athletic program.”
Athletics director Ivan Joseph said that he is currently collecting information on how to improve the program, but admits that he was very impressed with the ladies’ season, where they finished fifth in the Eastern Division. It’s obvious the athletes and coaches work very hard.
“My job is to support them and set them up for success,” said Joseph.
Hobbs and Tilk said that with off-season training and new recruits for the fall, the team can keep the momentum that their senior players have helped create.
Taylor also gave credit to the coaching staff, many with years of experience and said others, new to the program, worked well to develop an effective strategy.
“Our new assistant coaches have definitely brought new offensive and defensive ideas,” she said.
“I think we had a great season and I think it just goes to the coaching staff ... that help us out throughout the season.”
