Dani Sinclair’s coach of the year award headlined an array of OUA honours for the Carleton Ravens women’s basketball team announced on March 5.
The Ravens head coach is the first in program history to win the honour in back-to-back seasons, achieving the feat in just her fourth season with Carleton.
Also announced was OUA first-team all-star Jacqueline Urban and second-team all-star Kyana-Jade Poulin, joined by Nathalie Francis on the all-rookie team.
Sinclair led the Ravens to a perfect 22-0 regular season record, improving on last year’s 21-1 mark despite losing star guard Kali Pocrnic, and an upcoming OUA finals berth against the uOttawa Gee-Gees on March 8.
It was the second undefeated season in the women’s program’s history, and no OUA team, men’s or women’s, has accomplished the feat in the last eight years. The last team to do so was the Ravens men’s basketball team in 2018.
After winning U Sports and OUA rookie of the year honours in the 2022-23 season, this is Urban’s first all-star team nomination. It comes as no surprise, as the Ancaster, Ont., guard has been a constant force for the Ravens, finishing third in OUA field goal percentage and fourth in rebounds per game.
Urban posted 13.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game despite playing a sheltered 26.3 minutes per game. Known for her rebounding in the paint, Urban also became a greater perimeter threat, shooting 35.6 per cent from three.
Poulin also picked up her first all-star nomination after scoring 287 points in 20 games and averaging more than 14 points and 5 rebounds per game. Never just an offensive threat, Poulin also added 10 blocks and 26 steals to her 2024-25 statline.
Following in her sister Gabrielle Francis’ footsteps, 6-foot-2 rookie Nathalie Francis impressed on a deep Ravens roster. Playing over 20 minutes per game, she posted a pair of double-digit point nights to open the campaign and never looked back.
The Ravens tip off against the Gee-Gees for the Critelli Cup at the Ravens’ Nest on March 8.
Featured photo by Darren Tran.
