Women's Basketball

The 2011-2012 Rattlers Women’s Basketball Team competed hard in an extremely competitive South Division of the ACAC.  With four starters returning from last year’s team and the addition of Landace McClughan who returned after a year off, expectations were high.  The Rattlers played very well in pre-season and looked poised to live up to those lofty expectations.  Ranked as high as #12 nationally in the first semester the Rattlers played very well against ACAC finalists MRU and Grant MacEwan. 

Finishing the first semester 5-5 put the Rattlers in 4th position heading into the break.   Hosting a playoff game was still within reach as there was only 4 points separating the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams.  The biggest challenges for the Rattlers this season were the South Division teams as the Rattlers went 6-2 against  North competition and only 4-6 against the South Division teams.  The Rattlers finished the regular season playing very well, losing a close game to the nationally ranked Lakeland Rustlers and beating a very tough King’s Eagles team in the Snake Pit. 

They were playing their best basketball at the right time.  Finishing fourth in the South Division with a 10-8 record, the team set out to play NAIT in a wildcard game for a chance to play MRU in the quarterfinals.  The Rattlers put it all on the line Wednesday night and led NAIT in all statistical categories except the score as the Ooks edged the Rattlers 65-56.  Courtney Heinricks was voted as a South Division First Team All Star, while Meagan Koroll and Tianna Holt garnered Second Team honours.

This year’s Rattlers were a tremendous group to work with and the coaching staff want to thank them for their determination, passion, and character on the court and in the classroom.  Well done ladies!