THUNDER BAY – Westgate’s Allison Read is heading to Sault Ste. Marie to continue her basketball career.
The Tigers most valuable player has agreed to play for the Algoma Thunderbirds under coach Ryan Vetrie.
Read, the younger sister of Lakehead University veteran Samantha Read, said picking a post-secondary school was a tough decision, but Algoma was the right one when all was said and done.
"I chose Algoma University after my visit to the school and meeting Coach Ryan. Algoma is a school that offers a safe and supportive learning environment. Coach Ryan and his coaching staff along with the team were very welcoming and they will help motivate me to become a student-athlete at the U Sports level,” Read said in a release issued on Tuesday by the school.
“I see myself being able to work hard on and off the court to become an impact and contributing player to a successful Thunderbirds women's basketball team. The team is a great fit for me and my skill set."
Read, who was named rookie of the year in 2017-18, was also the Tigers most valuable player in 2018-19.
As a member of the Junior Wolves program Read led her team to an Ontario Basketball Association title at the U19 championship.
“We are excited to have another solid product out of Thunder Bay. We have had some success obtaining players from the city and all of them have had success both in their high school seasons as well as through the Jr. Wolves club program,” Vetrie said.
"The program is getting a very skilled and all around player in Allison. She has the ability to shoot, pass and create at the guard position and will be able to compete at this level immediately. She is family oriented and will be impactful in our community with the younger generations as she likes working with the youth. "