The Bishop's Gaiters women's basketball team represents Bishop's University in the RSEQ Conference of U Sports women's basketball. The program has captured the Bronze Baby twice, achieving the feat in back-to-back years (1983–84).
History The 1982–83 season would result in the Gaiters first national championship. After losing in the Bronze Baby championship game in 1981 and 1982, the Gaiters went undefeated in league play during the regular season. Winning all three games in the National Championship, the path towards an elusive title began with a convincing 77–40 triumph over the University of New Brunswick.
Followed by a semi-final victory versus the OUA champion Brock Badgers women's basketball by a 60-42 margin, the national championship game saw them tip off versus the dynastic Victoria Vikes women's basketball program. Besting them in a convincing 64–49 final, Andrea Blackwell earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player nod.
Following up their emotional championship run in 1983, the Gaiters maintained the momentum for the next campaign. With only two regular season losses in 1983–84, the Gaiters were dominant in their first two games at the National Championships.
Defeating the Manitoba Bisons by a remarkable 32 points, prevailing by an 89-57 tally, the Gaiters met the Brock Badgers for the second consecutive time in the semis. Prevailing in a convincing 60-42 outcome, the University of Winnipeg awaited in the Finals. Going back-to-back with a 70–62 defeat of Winnipeg, Andrea Blackwell and Lynn Polson shared Tounrmanet MVP honours.
Qualifying for the postseason in 2012, the Gaiters would not reach the RSEQ Playoffs until 2018. During the 2017–18 season, Edith Noblecilla finished as the Gaiters’ leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game, which ranked sixth in the conference. Pacing all players in the conference with 5.4 assists per game, ranking among the top players nationally, she would also emerge as the conference leader with 2.1 steals per game. By season's end, she was recognized as the Bishop's Gaiters Female Athlete of the Year.
International Debbie Huband : Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics Andrea Blackwell : Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics Lynn Polson : Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics, won a bronze medal for Canada at the 1986 FIBA World Championship for Women Cynthia Johnston : Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics Victoria Gauna : 2021 FIBA Women's AmeriCup
Awards and honors Cynthia Johnston: Greater Saint John Sports Hall of Fame (2021 inductee)
University Awards 2017-18 Bishop's Gaiters Female Athlete of the Year: Edith Noblecilla 2019-20 Bishop's Gaiters Female Athlete of the Year: Amaiquen Siciliano
Gaiters Wall of Distinction Inducted in 1995: Debbie Huband Inducted in 1998: Andrea Blackwell Inducted in 2000: 1982-83 Women's Basketball Team Inducted in 2000: 1983-84 Women's Basketball Team Inducted in 2003: Ann Fitzgerald Inducted in 2004: Lynn Polson Inducted in 2008: Sue Hylland Inducted in 2008: Nancy Knowlton Inducted in 2016: Cynthia Johnston
Team awards
Rookie of the Year 2005-06: 2006-07: 2007-08: 2008-09: 2009-10: 2010-11: 2011-12: 2012-13: 2013-14: 2014-15: 2015-16: Ashley Milhomme 2016-17: Metchline Gabelus 2017-18: Marie-Evrardine Berrouette 2018-19: Amaiquen Siciliano 2019-20: Jael Kabunda
Nancy Knowlton Team Award 2005-06: Carly Clarke and France Lanoie and Josianne Lafreniere 2006-07: Christelle Cote 2007-08: Christelle Cote 2008-09: Robyn Wilson 2009-10: Robyn Wilson 2010-11: Melanie Ouellet Godcharles 2011-12: Catherine Belanger-Paquet 2012-13: Danielle Lumley 2013-14: Danielle Lumley 2014-15: Danielle Lumley 2015-16: Maude Archmbault 2016-17: Eva Kuhar 2017-18: Maude Archambault 2018-19: Marie Berrouette 2019-20: Maeva Courla
Most Improved Player 2005-06: 2006-07: 2007-08: 2008-09: 2009-10: 2010-11: 2011-12: 2012-13: 2013-14: Genevieve Onyeka 2014-15: Ashely White 2015-16: Charlene Pettigrew 2016-17: Mara Marchizotti 2017-18: Metchline Gabelus 2018-19: Sarah Peirson 2019-20: Sabrina Kone
Most Valuable Player 2001-02: Melissa Lemay 2002-03: Catherine Charbonneau 2003-04: Anouk Boulanger 2004-05: Anouk Boulanger 2005-06: Emile Crofton 2006-07: Laure Pitfield 2007-08: Melanie Ouellet-Godcharles and Jessy Roy 2008-09: Melanie Ouellet-Godcharles and Jessy Roy 2009-10: Melanie Ouellet-Godcharles and Katy Germain 2010-11: Jessy Roy 2011-12: Jessy Roy 2012-13: Gabrielle Chamberland 2013-14: Danielle Lumley 2014-15: Edith Noblecilla 2015-16: Noemie Hamel-Petit 2016-17: Edith Noblecilla 2017-18: Edith Noblecilla 2018-19: Metchline Gabelus 2019-20: Amaiquen Siciliano
RSEQ Awards 2017-18 RSEQ Coach of the Year: Craig Norman
Rookie of the Year 2019-20 RSEQ Rookie of the Year: Jael Kabunda 2002-03: Anouk Boulanger 1996-97 Cynthia Hitchcock 1994-95: Nicky Walsh
RSEQ All-Stars First Team 2019-20: Jael Kabunda
Second Team All-Rookie Team 2019-20 Deborah Aboagaye 2019-20 Jael Kabunda 2019-20 Jennifer Louis 2018-19 Amaiquen Siciliano 2017-18: Marie Berrouette 2016-17: Metchline Gabelus 2015-16: Ashley Milhomme 2015-16: Charlene Pettigrew 2014-15: Noemie Hamel-Petit 2013-14: Mara Lis Marchizotti 2013-14: Naomie Zitt-James 2011-12: Veronique Fortin-Tremblay 2011-12: Eloisa Katz 2010-11: Gabrielle Chamberland 2010-11: Bailey Trafford 2009-10: Bethan Chalke
Statistical leaders 1971-72 QUAA now known as RSEQ Scoring leader: Nancy Knowlton 1972-73 QUAA Scoring leader: Nancy Knowlton
U Sports Awards 2019-20 Kathy Shields Award: Jael Kabunda 2003-04 Coach of the Year: Craig Norman 1983-84 Peter Ennis Award: Wayne Hussey 1983-84 Nan Copp Award: Andrea Blackwell 1980-81 Peter Ennis Award: Wayne Hussey
U Sports championship MVP 1983-84 (tie) Andrea Blackwell and Lynn Polson 1982-83 Andrea Blackwell 1977-78 Debbie Huband
All-Canadians 1980-81 All-Canadian: Sue Hylland 1982-83 All-Canadian: Andrea Blackwell 1982-83 All-Canadian: Lynn Polson 1983-84 All-Canadian: Andrea Blackwell 1983-84 All-Canadian: Lynn Polson
Top 100 In celebration of the centennial anniversary of U SPORTS women's basketball, a committee of U SPORTS women's basketball coaches and partners revealed a list of the Top 100 women's basketball players. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first Canadian university women's contest between the Queen's Gaels and McGill Martlets on Feb. 6, 1920, the list of the Top 100 was gradually revealed over four weeks. Culminating with the All-Canadian Gala, which also recognized national award winners.
PlayerTeam(s) Years AccoladesDebbie Huband Bishop's Concordia 1976-80Captained Bishop's to three consecutive QUAA titles from 1977 to 1980Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1984 Summer OlympicsSet a Canada West record with 344 coaching wins with the UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball programAndrea Blackwell Bishop's 1979-84 Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1984 Summer OlympicsLynn Polson Bishop's 1980-84Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1984 Summer OlympicsWon a bronze medal for Canada at the 1986 FIBA World Championship for WomenCynthia Johnston Bishop's 1986-91Played for Canada in Basketball at the 1996 Summer OlympicsFemale Athlete of the Year at Bishop's University
References