Recap The Court

Jacob Smith

Let’s get right into it and give out the four major awards for the halfway point of the OUA women’s basketball season. All based on what we’ve seen so far, starting with MVP.

MVP: Madalyn Weinert – Brock

Madalyn has been one of the best players in the league since she came into the league but this year I think it’s hard to find someone more important to a program than Madalyn and this year’s Badgers. What she does to get everyone together on the court is only brushing the surface of the impact she has. Going into her play, she carries a large weight of the execution being really the one the Badgers go to when they need a bucket or need a big defensive stop. Madalyn is one of the most consistent being among the top in a lot of different statistical categories, and it’s hard to imagine the Badgers without the constant engine in Weinert.

Defensive Player of the Year: Nehita Oko-Oboh – Waterloo

I’m sure there are a lot of programs that would really love to have a player like Nehita inside the paint controlling the glass and protecting the rim, but only the Warriors get that privilege and Nehita is playing the best she’s played. Among the leaders in rebounds and blocks per game nationally, there isn’t a better rim protector in the OUA and her footwork allows her very limited wasted movement, efficient and effective on both ends of the floor. This was a pretty simple choice for DPOY.

Rookie of the Year: Cadence Pecore – Laurentian

When you watch Cadence play, she has the confidence and the comfort of a player who’s been in the league for years though she’s only played half of a season. She knows when she can attack and she has the control to play through a lot of contact, and she’s really burst onto the scene for the Voyageurs being one of their biggest pieces offensively. For just being in her rookie year, her command on the court is incredible and her role on the team grows larger and larger. Cadence has already adjusted very well to the OUA and she’s put on a great performance halfway through her freshman season.

Coach of the Year: Shae Dheensaw – Brock

In her first year as the head coach of the Brock Badgers, Shae has pushed Brock to a tie at the top of their division. Watching her on the sideline, how she controls both the bench and the ups and downs of a game is what’s been most impressive to me. How she’s able to get the most out of up and down the roster and helped Brock get contributions from not just their vets but a lot of younger players very early in the season. She’s seemingly adapted to a new program and a new position seamlessly and this Badgers team led by Coach Dheensaw is primed for a push late into the season and postseason with the control she has over all aspects.