By Reegan MacAulay

The Holland Hurricanes’ women’s basketball team may have lost in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) semi-finals for a fourth season in a row (excluding the cancelled 2020-21 season), but the 2023-24 season showed that the program has the potential for a huge resurgence in the years to come.

It’s been a long journey for head coach Chris Connolly, who was promoted from assistant coach to head coach before the 2019-20 season after Jared Cheverie stepped down. Connolly recalled how close and tough each semi-final match was.

“A few years ago, we lost by, I think four or five or something like that. We had some key injuries that really hurt us, but we had some great runs. I think the girls, both years, were able to really take advantage of the offseason,” Connolly said.

Veteran guard Danielle McKinnon, who was the only remaining player from Connolly’s first group back in 2020, was heartbroken after the 2023 loss.

“We only lost by, I believe, five. Knowing we were right there and could’ve won that game just meant the next season we were going to have to come back ready to work and look for the win,” McKinnon said.

Connolly and the rest of the coaching staff were ready to come back with a stronger roster, beginning with the biggest acquisition of the ACAA offseason, Alexa Rancourt.

Rancourt, from Charlottetown, had just graduated from Crandall University after completing her degree and playing center for the Chargers for three years. The 2022-23 ACAA 2nd All-Conference Team player was seeking to continue her greatness elsewhere with two years of eligibility left.

Before committing to Crandall, Rancourt discovered Holland College’s Sports and Recreation Management program. She decided against it at the time but was now considering it. Being able to play at home was the main reason she eventually transferred.

“The Sport and Rec Management program had interested me right out of high school, so I decided to look into it again. It was two years and close to home which was a big factor,” Rancourt said.

Connolly was excited to acquire her, and the excitement grew throughout the offseason.

“I always loved her game coaching against her. Her work ethic when she first came here was evident right at the get go, like how hard she worked on her game on a consistent basis was a big factor for us,” Connolly said.

Rancourt didn’t know what to expect joining the Hurricanes, but when she returned home, she consistently went to shooting practices with one of the coaches and was making sure she entered the new season stronger. Just before the season, she was named a co-captain.

“I knew going into the season, one of the big things the coaches were expecting from me was to be a leader. There were a lot of new people coming in and I had previous experience in the league, and the coaches believed that it could help all the new players transition into the league. I was preparing mentally for that expectation and making sure I could help the team out in any way I could,” Rancourt said.

She wasn’t alone leadership-wise as her fellow co-captain was Danielle McKinnon, who was entering her fifth year of eligibility. She was coming off a breakout season that included a three-point percentage with 44% shooting, which led the ACAA and the entire country. She also achieved the milestone of most games played by a Hurricane.

“I wanted to come back in the best shape I could. I spent five to six hours a week in the gym. My goal was to increase my shooting range and accuracy. 

“I had expectations that our team could do big things this season. No school would know our rookies and what they could do, so they will have an advantage on surprising the teams. I wanted to make them feel welcome right away. As soon as they were announced or Chris (Connolly) informed me they were coming, I reached out to them and tried to maintain communication throughout the summer and tried meeting mostly everyone on campus when they first arrived,” McKinnon said.

Rancourt was one of the players McKinnon reached out to. Immediately, she felt welcome.

“She was so helpful in showing me the ropes and making sure I felt welcome here. She was and still is my go-to person for any questions,” Rancourt said.

Alongside Rancourt and McKinnon would be a plethora of veterans and rookies.

Elite all-around guard Lauren Armstrong (Canberra, ACT, Australia) returned poised to keep her rookie season momentum going. In her first season as a Hurricane, she recorded 8.9 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 15 blocks. Those statistics and her impact on and off the court earned her ACAA Rookie of the Year honours.

Other veteran guards included Molly Steadman (Coldbrook, N.S.) and Amy Plaggenhoef (Stratford, P.E.I.). The recruit class was a promising one, with the top ones being superstar point guard Emma Bailey (Tonyrefail, Wales), tall and joyful center Sarah Nyhouse (Tasmania, Australia), and skilled shooter Robyn Driscoll (Portugal Cove St. Phillips, N.L.).

Connolly said there were a lot of unknowns at the start of the season, especially with the loss of some key players who transferred to Atlantic University Sport (AUS) competition.

“We had three girls from last year go to USPORTS and have done really well at the next level. That was a big part of our team from the year before and we had a bunch of recruits coming in that we were very excited about,” Connolly said.

Unfortunately, growing pains began right off the bat. Emma Bailey tore her ACL in an intrasquad game, ending her season prematurely. She wasn’t the only one with the injury bug as Nyhouse also dealt with adversity early in the regular season.

“(Bailey) was pegged to be our point guard for the season and be a big part of what we do. That threw things in a loop right out of the gate,” Connolly said.

Because of Bailey’s absence, Rancourt was tasked to step up and be relied on to carry the ball. She was more of a post when playing for Crandall.

“In the beginning, there were a lot of turnovers and mistakes, and I definitely wasn’t confident. Thankfully, my coaches were patient with me, and they believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. As I got more used to it, I gained more confidence,” Rancourt said.

The team started the regular season strong with two wins but then lost four of its next five games, eventually heading into the holiday break with a 4-5 record. Things were not looking good, but Rancourt knew that trusting the process was key.

“There were so many new players coming together, and especially in the first half of the season, it was really trying to figure out how everyone plays and who works well together and who doesn’t and then build off of that. We dealt with some injuries early on and those who were healthy were able to step up,” Rancourt said.

Connolly said many of the losses probably should’ve gone in Holland’s favour.

“There were a few that we probably should’ve had that we didn’t. But, you know, that’s the way it goes. And with a young team, it was nice to see the growth and see them go through some of those struggles early and then overcome it in the second half,” Connolly said.

The team certainly overcame the early-season struggles, as the Hurricanes won six of their next eight games, concluding the regular season 10-8 and clinching fourth place. It may have taken a while for players to gel, but Connolly said it really showed in the second half.

“We started realizing what everybody was doing and started really gelling as a team. The development was fantastic. Throughout the year, we got closer as it went along. I was really proud of (the girls),” Connolly said.

McKinnon said the progression in the second half was proof of everyone beginning to trust each other.

“Having so many faces meant it was a little more difficult to gain that connection between each player. A few games that stand out to me this season were the MSVU (Mount Saint Vincent University) upset comeback in overtime led by Lauren (Armstrong) and the (University of) King’s game at home in the second half. This season, I felt everyone stepped up into their roles. Everyone realized what was needed of them for the team to succeed and it felt like it just kind of fell into place,” McKinnon said.

The MSVU game McKinnon referred to was a 98-86 overtime win against the elite MSVU Mystics on Feb. 10 at the McMillan Centre, when Armstrong helped the Hurricanes come back from down 71-56 to tie the match 83-83 and eventually win in an extra quarter in front of an electric home crowd. At the season’s end, Armstrong led the ACAA with 162 defensive rebounds and 114 assists.

With the regular season done, the biggest time of the year had arrived -- the 2024 ACAA Basketball Championships in Charlottetown.

When it was announced that Holland College would host the Atlantics, Connolly was excited.

“We had been playing in the playoffs away for a very long time, so it was nice to have the home court advantage. We talked a lot about dealing with the pressure and the amount of noise that would be going on in the gym and just focusing on what we can control. It was a very competitive league this season,” Connolly said.

Rancourt was thrilled to play in front of her home crowd.

“Having home court advantage is always a plus. We knew, in order to succeed in the playoffs, we had to work hard and give it our all,” Rancourt said.

Rancourt had a terrific start to the championships, recording 10 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in a 76-54 quarterfinal win against the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies on a Friday afternoon. In a match plagued with turnovers and fouls, Holland jumped out to a 15-3 lead and overcame several comebacks to eventually control the game by the fourth quarter.

The next day, the team put on a wicked battle against the top-ranked MSVU Mystics, fighting hard in front of a loud audience. Rancourt, Armstrong (who was playing injured), Driscoll, and Nyhouse carried the fort in a stressful match, but unfortunately, MSVU had the better clutch performance in the final quarter, taking the game 73-63.

Connolly wished the home court advantage was something he and the team took more advantage of.

“The athletics staff did a fabulous job. The gym looked unreal. The atmosphere was great. Just having the ability for our girls to sleep in their own beds and not have to travel. It was an advantage that we haven’t had in a really long time. We wish we could’ve taken better advantage of it and go deeper, but it was a lot of fun. We tried to make adjustments (against MSVU), but they were so athletic, and they played such a fast game that it ended up impacting us.

“I’m really proud of (the girls). There were all kinds of reasons for them to not have played right till the end, but they did. They battled every second. Sometimes, you come up short, and that was a dark day,” Connolly said.

Rancourt said the championships built a good base for the team moving forward.

“Our team was definitely better than the results showed. With a lot of building and new, young people, we definitely had a lot to work on. I believe we can continue to build off of it and only get better next year,” Rancourt said.

For McKinnon’s final championships, it was an emotional one.

“The intensity of each game was amazing. The feeling of playing in an atmosphere like we had was something I’ve always wanted. I really enjoyed playing in front of the student section and crowd that had supported us through our wins and losses over the years. We wish our playoff run didn’t end in the semifinals, but we’re proud of what we accomplished,” McKinnon said.

At the season-end Hurricanes Awards Celebration, four players were recognized for their performances all season. Rancourt was named the Most Valuable Player, Armstrong was named the Defensive Player of the Year, Amy Plaggenhoef was named the Offensive Player of the Year, and McKinnon was given the Leadership Award.

Rancourt had the best season of her career, leading the ACAA with 293 points and 190 rebounds. Her efforts were rightfully recognized before the ACAA Championships, as she was named the ACAA Player of the Year, an ACAA 1st All-Conference Team member, and a CCAA Academic All-Canadian.

“I was very blessed and honoured with the accomplishments. Coming into the season, I was just focusing on competing to the best of my ability to help my team in any way I could. It was really cool to receive (the awards) along the way,” Rancourt said.

Connolly said the results speak for themselves with every player.

“We put (Rancourt) in a really difficult spot right out of the gate. She went from a center to a guard, and she responded fabulously.

“(Armstrong) taking a leadership role, taking care of the ball for us, running our offense, and just being important to everything that we did on both ends. A fabulous rebounder, passer, and scorer, and a big part of what we did. It really benefited us a lot to have her step up in those ways (as a sophomore).

“Plaggenhoef was right up there with the leading scorers in the league. She’s been a part of our program for three years and has been a big part of it. So, we wanted to make sure she was recognized. She made a big improvement with her inner scoring and everything.

“(McKinnon) was unbelievable for us ever since she came here. A fabulous shooter, working in the gym every day, exactly what you’re looking for out of a student-athlete with multiple certificates from our institution. She’s going to do amazing things when she leaves here. I’m thankful for everything she’s done for this program. She put an awful lot of time and effort into the program and we wanted to make sure she was recognized. We’re very proud of her,” Connolly said.

McKinnon said the recognition meant a lot to her albeit having a rough season statistically compared to the previous year.

“Even though I didn’t have the best season, I was able to help the team in a leadership way. When I look back, it makes me proud to see how far I’ve come from being just a shy first year who barely spoke to a leader both on and off the court.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career. To getting me to this point in my career, it means a lot and I look forward to what’s next. I hope the program continues to grow and be successful. I hope to stay involved down the line whether that be refereeing or potentially coaching,” McKinnon said.

Connolly also recognized rookies Nyhouse and Driscoll.

“Sarah is one of the most impressive recruits we’ve had come in with her pace, size, and abilities. How she developed over the season was very impressive. She figured out how to be out there. She had some injuries out of the gate and dealt with those appropriately.

“Robyn’s a great shooter and a great teammate. She works really hard and there’s all kinds of options for her within this game. She shoots the ball so well and her skill will be needed next year. I think with the way she’s working and how badly she wants it, she’s going to be a big part of us moving forward,” Connolly said.

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Connolly and the rest of the coaching staff have a lot of work to do, but their excitement is through the roof.

“Preparing the girls that are coming back and talking to the recruits and making sure they’re ready to go for next year. It’s an exciting time of year when you kind of put everything together and try to get your roster set,” Connolly said.

Hurricanes fans will be ecstatic to learn that Alexa Rancourt will be back for one final year as a Hurricane. Connolly calls it a luxury to have her back and Rancourt believes great things will be accomplished next year.

“The off season is essential in getting better for next year and I believe it is important to look at your weaknesses and work on those while also building up your strength. For me, that will consist of getting my right hand handles stronger and faster, and continuing to work on my shot. I hope the program will continue to get more competitive and athletes coming into the program will leave a better athlete and person,” Rancourt said.

Although no other specific names were given, most of the other veterans are expected to return, and so will the rookies. Several recruits have been announced, with Connolly shouting out one, Karissa George, from New Glasgow, N.S.

“She’s a fabulous point guard and she’s one of the top point guards in Nova Scotia. She will be a big addition to us. She’s a dual athlete playing soccer and basketball, so she would be somebody that we definitely want people to be aware of because she’s going to come in and do some pretty impressive things,” Connolly said.

To wrap this story up, we asked Connolly, Rancourt, and McKinnon why fans should support Hurricanes women’s basketball and why athletes should consider joining the program.

Connolly - “Hurricanes women’s basketball is a great product and, right now, it’s really exciting. We have fabulous players. The hype around it is so amazing and long overdue. Getting people out to see what we have going on here at Holland College is a fabulous thing to do. They won’t be disappointed if they come out and see us play.

“We have amazing programs that are helping the students in a lot of different ways. We have a great track record of having girls come here for two years and then move on to USPORTS, and having girls come here and have such a great time that they don’t want to leave. You’ll have a great experience here on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”

Rancourt - “We have a competitive team and a group of girls that play hard each game. Support from the fans and the community is so important. As we continue to get better, we hope more people will come out and support us. Fans are really into the games, and hopefully, next year, every game can have that fun atmosphere.”

McKinnon - “The team is fun to watch and has a great atmosphere in the gym. Being a college athlete is like a dream come true and it gives you many life experiences throughout the process. Being involved on a team gives you a second family while you’re away at school.”

The 2024-25 ACAA women’s basketball schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for information on Hurricanes Booster Club passes as well.

Connect with the women’s basketball ‘Canes at www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball and www.x.com/caneswbball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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