V-Reds Basketball adds Recruit

There’s an old adage in sport to never look ahead. Not just because something may be gaining on you, but teams instead try and focus at the next task at hand; the next practice, next game, next challenge.

At the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level, however, coaches are always looking ahead, especially when it comes to recruiting. Recruiting is a competitive opponent with many of the same schools seeking the same player. It’s not any different on the basketball court, or in this case, off the court of play.

With that in mind, the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds women’s basketball team is in a pretty happy state these days. A solid first half of the season on the court and now the fact head coach Jeff Speedy has landed a nice recruit for the 2011-12 season and beyond.

Katelynn Carver of Parkview High School in Bridgewater, N.S., has agreed to enroll at UNB and begin studies and suit up for the V-Reds. Carver was a long time member of the Nova Scotia-based Thunder Selects Basketball Club. It was with that organization that Carver caught the eye of Speedy.

“She had an outstanding career with the Thunder program and we’re very excited to land Katelynn,” Speedy said. “Not only is she our first recruit out of Nova Scotia, but she is a very good basketball player. She can play the No. 3 or No. 4 position, but would be a three at our level. Katelynn is athletic, skilled and works extremely hard. She has a bright future and we’re pleased it’s going to be with us.”

Her Thunder Coach Brandon Rafuse is excited for both UNB and Katelynn and feels this is a true win – win situation. “Katelynn Carver is one of the hardest working and coachable athletes that we’ve ever had in our Thunder Selects program.  Her versatility and athleticism will make her as asset at the CIS level and I look forward to continuing to support her as she strives for excellence at the University of New Brunswick.”

Carver had a number of options to focus on during her critical Grade 12 year, but it was UNB that stood out. Not only are the Varsity Reds one of the top-ranked schools in the CIS, the program will move the dynamic Richard Currie Center next year, one of the best multi-facilities in the nation.

Her reasons for coming to Fredericton, however, went beyond basketball.

“UNB is a great school academically and I enjoy the community feel the city has,” Carver said. “I pretty much knew when I set foot on the campus and went on the tours and various meetings, that it was going to be the place for me.”

Carver had the opportunity to watch the Varsity Reds work out and came away impressed with what she saw. Anyone who has watched Speedy’s practices can immediately see the high energy UNB brings to the program. That work shows on the court in the up-tempo system the team has unleashed this season.

“The intensity in which everyone practices and their enthusiasm and motivation to get better while making their teammates better is what I’m looking for,” she said. “UNB is the best place for me to improve my game. I’m going to get the opportunity to play with some really great players. The girls and their families are great. There is a lot of support for the team which is a great aspect to have.”

She’s also looking forward to coming under the tutelage of the UNB coaching staff.

It’s about taking the next step. “Coach Speedy and all the other coaches and staff are very knowledgeable about the game and work just as hard as the players do to create a great team,” Carver said. “It’s going to be challenging, but that’s what you want and where you want to be.”

Carver brings more athleticism to the UNB program and falls under a strong work ethic, a trait embraced by the Varsity Reds. Versatility will be a key component of her game, but it’s the team concept that stands out. “I work hard on every play both on defence and offence, but most importantly, I’m a team player,” she said. “Coming to UNB, I want to become strong and more confident. I want to be a player that can help take this team to the nationals.”

Carver plans on studying toward her Bachelor of Arts, possibly majoring in psychology or sociology.