It’s a game drenched in symbolism and significance: Carleton versus McGill, in the U Sports women’s basketball semifinals—again.
The then fourth-seeded Martlets handed the top-ranked Ravens an excruciating 66-60 defeat last March. This year, not much has changed: the Martlets are currently seeded fourth while the Ravens are the top seed yet again as they get set to face off in the semifinals on March 10.
“I think we’ve been waiting for it,” Ravens point guard Jenjen Abella said. “I think we did want McGill in the semifinals and I think we knew we were going to get them and I think it’s just us trying to get revenge on it.”
McGill represents a opportunity for redemption for the Ravens. It’s an opponent and a game they’ve been thinking about ever since last year.
“Honestly we’ve been thinking about this for 365 days,” centre Heather Lindsay said.
This time however, there’s no second chance for some of these players. Carleton boasts six graduating players—including five starters. Third-year forward Cynthia Dupont might leave as well; she will decide after the U Sports championships.
“We actually talked about this in film [sessions on Friday]. It’s actually something that motivates us even more because it makes us almost angry that looking back at the game we had last year, being the same game,” Dupont said.
The pain of the loss stings for the players.
“I don’t even know how to describe it but just seeing them cheer in front of us, it wasn’t something pleasant,” she added.
McGill has two fifth-year seniors: Frederique Potvin and Alex Kiss-Rusk, a former Virginia Tech Hokie. Both were members of the national title-winning Martlets team in 2017.
Kiss-Rusk was teammates with Carleton Ravens forward Catherine Traer on international duty in the summer; they’ll be opponents on March 10.
Kiss-Rusk only scored six points in the quarterfinal victory against the McMaster Marauders on March 8. However, she lit up Carleton for 24 points and 17 rebounds in the semifinals last March.
Stopping the 6-foot-4 Kiss-Rusk is central to the Ravens’ game plan.
“She’s honestly a tough matchup for us but I think if we limit her touches . . . and getting her out on the perimeter and guarding like Becky [Leblanc] or [Nicole] Gilmore . . . we need to get her out of the key because she’s such a great rim protector,” Abella explained.
The team’s focus defensively will be on stopping Potvin and Kiss-Rusk and denying them space, according to Dupont.
“I think it’s important we get our two best defenders [on them], we stop both of them and everyone takes care of their own,” she said.
“Last year, we let them catch the ball easily and do their thing,” she added. This year, it’s about “not letting them get the ball and I think if we do that, we’ll be fine.”
The Ravens come in a bit banged up. Abella has a lingering ankle that is “not 100 per cent.” Nicole Gilmore hobbled off after the quarterfinal game against the Calgary Dinos. Dupont said head coach Taffe Charles ordered ice baths for the players after the game.
The Ravens are one win away from redemption, two wins from ultimate glory. However, one big hurdle remains.
Lindsay called last year’s loss “heartbreaking.” What would another loss, giving the situation, mean—something beyond heartbreaking?
Dupont agrees; Abella said “it would probably be the most emotional loss.” Lindsay has a different answer.
“We’re not thinking about that,” she said.
