OSBA Pre-Season Preview: Bill Crothers (Women)

Although the Colts were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the OSBA playoffs last season by Lincoln Prep (74-64), Bill Crothers proved that they have the potential to do great things in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) in years to come. Bill Crothers finished last season in the middle of the pack with a final record of 8-6, and the team looks to pick up where they left off with a deeper playoff push this year. “We look forward to leveraging the experience of our veteran players to help push forward the development of our young roster. We are excited by the prospect of seeing how improved each player is, and subsequently the whole team is, by the end of the season,” said Jodi Gram, Bill Crothers Head Coach.

Bill Crothers will continue to build from experience as they enter their second season in the OSBA. The team will be without their OSBA First Team All-Star guard Justina King as she enters her rookie season at Ribet Academy in Los Angeles, Calif. The Colts also parted with key graduates Emma McCammus (Central Connecticut State University), Leyki Sorra (Ryerson University), Charlotte Clayton (McGill University), and Sam Gucciardi (University of Windsor). These graduates were a huge part of the Bill Crothers rookie season successes and will be greatly missed.

With that being said, the team made minor roster adjustments in the offseason by picking up a few young, talented players. Despite the loss of four key players, the team remains tight knit, adding only three new players. Guard Keanna Samuels, a transfer from Guelph Prep, brings athleticism and length on the wing and will make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. The Colts also welcomed two talented grade nines, who they hope will also have an immediate impact on the court; Isaline Alexander provides height and athleticism on the inside while Abigail Jegede adds both athleticism and length at guard. Both players bring length and size to the roster, which are two key areas that can help the Colts build on their shortcomings from the previous season.

Bill Crothers will turn to key returning players to pick up where the team left off last year. Key returnees include: lockdown defender Ciante Downs, who has expanded her offensive game during the offseason; Callie Wright, a physical presence who can create match-up problems both inside and outside; Ahriahna Grizzle, another physical presence who provides versatility at both guard and wing; point guard Tiya Misir, who has a great deal of creativity and tenacity; and Jennah Golden, a steady physical player who takes pride in the little things, like diving for loose balls, rebounding and taking charges.

As the team continues to gel over a second season together and the new young additions look to make a mark in the league, the Bill Crothers Colts can quickly become a team to watch out for this upcoming year and for seasons to come. Can Bill Crothers make a deeper playoff push this season despite the loss of talented veteran players? The future certainly does seem bright for the Colts.