The Saint Mary’s Huskies were on the brink of snapping a 33-year title drought last March.
This time around, they’re hoping to finish the job.
The Huskies, who are in search of their first Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball banner since 1976-77, have retooled after a nail-biting loss to the powerful Cape Breton Capers in last year’s final in Sydney.
With six returnees and some new recruits to surround star point guard Justine Colley, the Huskies fully expect to contend in the competitive eight-team circuit.
“There’s a lot of basketball to be played … but if we jell, we can be a pretty good basketball team,” said Huskies head coach Scott Munro.
“We really developed last season and we had a great run in the playoffs.”
The Huskies, who won eight straight games before losing in the AUS final, have lost key starters Laure Pitfield and Kelsey Daley.
Former AUS rebounding champion Susanne Canvin from P.E.I. and Maegan Seaward from the Memorial Sea-Hawks are key transfers who will help fill that void along with six-foot Norwegian Charlotte Matthieson and New Brunswick high school star Julie Hatcher.
All-rookie selection Robbie Daley and returning starter Rebecca Nuttall will look to build from last year’s experience.
“Having to play Cape Breton on their own court, in the AUS final, really helped those returning kids grow up,” Munro said.
Colley, an all-star from East Preston who finished third in the nation with 20.9 points per game, will be the key once again.
“She’s continuing to get better,” Munro said of his sophomore captain.
“She carries a lot of the scoring load and defends the other team’s top player, and we’re expecting more of that from her.”
