Wolves women head east for recruits

The Nova Scotia connection is continuing at the Thunderdome.

The Lakehead University women’s basketball team has inked a pair of recruits from Canada’s Ocean Playground.

Timberlea’s Emily Lerette and Bedford’s Helena Steeves will join the Thunderwolves this fall and help out on the back end, said coach Jon Kreiner in making the announcement Thursday.

“Both will immediately fit with our team and provide us with the toughness, grit and energy needed to be a great defensive team,” Kreiner said.

Lerette, a graduate of the Sir John A. Macdonald High School team, was a Halifax all-star in both Grade 11 and 12 and averaged seven points, six assists and four rebounds a game for the Thunder Selects program.

“I'm a hard worker, and the style of play and what Coach expects from his players is exactly what I am looking for. Coach Kreiner exemplifies all the qualities I want in a coach and I am excited to get the opportunity to play for Coach Kreiner and the Thunderwolves,” she said in a release issued by the team.

Steeves, who also played for the Under 17 Thunder Selects, averaged 13 points and seven boards a night, and was proven outside shooter, hitting 37 per cent of her shots. The 5-foot-8 wing said Lakehead offers everything she was looking for in a school.

I knew right away that I shared the same passion for basketball as coach Kreiner, the rest of the coaching staff and the team. It is an honour to be a part of the hard working and successful program that Lakehead has to offer,” Steeves said.

“I know that at Lakehead University I can achieve on and off the court, and I can't wait to begin the season this fall.”  Helena Steeves.

The Wolves have some pretty big holes to fill this fall with the graduation of pivot Lindsay Druery and the retirement of often-injured forward Lacey McNulty. The team also learned that all-rookie guard Darcy Zinck, who sat out last season with an injury, will not be back in 2013.