The Humber Hawks women’s basketball team opened its postseason with a statement win, crushing the George Brown Huskies 92-39 to advance to the OCAA quarterfinals on Feb. 16.
Their commanding performance on the home court reaffirmed why they are one of the top teams in the league. Humber, which ended the regular season with a 14-2 record, overwhelmed the Huskies on their postseason opener.
Head coach Ceejay Nofuente, a former Humber star herself, praised her team’s effort and intensity, particularly in the second half, holding the Huskies to just nine third-quarter points and solidifying their control over the game.
“We lacked ball pressure in the first half,” Nofuente said. “But once we dug in defensively, that’s when the game changed.
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The night belonged to senior guard Sarah Baptie, who had a historic performance. She recorded a game-high 20 points, and four rebounds, and set a new program record for steals in a postseason game with eight. Her defensive prowess helped the Hawks build an overwhelming lead.
“It feels great. Obviously, the job’s not finished, but we’re just looking towards the next game now,” Baptie said.
Baptie wasn’t the only standout.
Fellow senior Kia Watt continued her dominant season, contributing a double-double when the Hawks needed a boost. She finished the game with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals.
Third-year Kalani Thomas added to Humber’s momentum and stepped up from the bench, scoring an efficient 11 points in just 13 minutes of playing time.
Baptie felt the momentum shift during the second half when the right adjustments were made to contain the Huskies.
“Honestly, I feel like once we came back from half, the energy was in our favour, and we just used that to our advantage,” she said.
Humber’s ability to adjust and execute was evident as they outscored the Huskies 28-9 in the third quarter alone. By the final frame, the Hawks had built an overwhelming lead, allowing them to cruise to victory.
Now advancing to the OCAA quarterfinals, Nofuente emphasized the need for continued discipline and focus as the team prepares for the next challenge. The Hawks will look to carry their momentum forward as they chase an OCAA championship.
“We must protect our rim and our home court,” she said. “Trust the process.”
