OSBA Pre-Season Preview: TRC Academy (Women)

TRC Academy was an upper-tier team in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) women’s division last season with a regular season winning percentage of four games above .500 (9-5). Despite finishing fourth in the division, the Wolfpack found their groove towards the end of the season and made a deep playoff run, which landed them a spot in the 2016-17 OSBA Championships. While TRC ended up falling short of gold to third-ranked Lincoln Prep 71-54, they showed tremendous promise for future seasons. “TRC Academy is looking to compete in the same manner this season for another chance to win an OSBA championship in the spring. As a team, we emphasize continual growth and development from a physical, social, and mental standpoint, which we hope will help guide our student-athletes as they continue on their paths to post-secondary schooling,” said new Head coach Lee Anna Osei.

With high hopes for the 2017-18 season, TRC Academy had a busy off-season as they added standout provincial team members to their roster. Notable additions to the Wolfpack include:

Keahna Riley, who finished her second year as a member of Team Ontario this summer. Standing at 6'6, Riley is a force inside and she has two years to develop and become the dominant force her coaches believe she can be.

Mya Iriah is a 5'8 explosive combo guard who transferred from Guelph Prep. The Brampton, Ont. native brings defensive intensity and the ability to put pressure on the opposing team with her quickness and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor.

Savannah Day is a 6' 1 Forward coming off a great summer playing for Team Ontario. She is a scoring threat from outside and inside and she is a glass cleaner with her athleticism and ability to rebound.

Aaliyah Fraser, a 5'10 Nova Scotia native, brings a scorer’s mentality along with the ability to shoot the ball and stretch the defense.

Lastly, 6'3 Helena Lasic is TRC’s youngest addition at age 14.

Even with loads of young talent waiting to make their debuts in the league this season, TRC still has more than half of their roster from last year that helped the team compete for the OSBA championship. Key returnees include: Aerial Wilson (5'9 PG), a strong, poised and skilled point guard; Makayla Ennis (6'1 W/F), a long wing player who has the ability to create opportunities for both herself and others; and the team’s only returning senior, Xianna Josephs (6'1 F), who will be a leader on the court with her defensive intensity and ability to impact a game with her size, physicality and ability to get to the basket.

All three players were silver medalists with the U17 Team Ontario squad at the Canada Summer Games this summer. Wilson and Ennis also earned silver as members of the Cadette National Team that competed in the U16 Women’s FIBA Americas Championships in Argentina earlier this summer.

Coach Osei commented, “Our core returners will seek to bring their shared experiences stemming from last season through summer circuits to create a competitive edge for TRC Academy this season.”

It is no secret that TRC Academy has one of the best rosters this upcoming season. The team is set to be an OSBA title contender once again with the key returning players and additions bringing not only Team Ontario involvement but international playing experience. The Wolfpack will be a tough team to beat this season in the OSBA.