Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Over the January 9th and 10th weekend at the George Leach Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, the Algoma Thunderbird women’s and men’s basketball programs hosted the visiting Waterloo Warriors in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) action. Despite strong individual efforts from Algoma across both squads, Waterloo controlled the weekend, earning a sweep in all four games.
Women’s Basketball – Friday, January 9
In game one of the weekend, the Waterloo Warriors secured a decisive 90–54 victory over the Thunderbird women. Waterloo’s balanced attack was led by Yemi Oladipo, who finished with 14 points and two rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. Carina Fiore added 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes, while Tamara Popovic rounded out the top three scorers with 11 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes.
For Algoma, Sadie Grawbarger led the Thunderbirds with 11 points and five rebounds while logging 36 minutes on the hardcourt. Elia Galdos contributed seven points and a team-high nine rebounds in 28 minutes. Brooke Gruhn and Bernadette Maranan each scored six points, with Gruhn adding three rebounds in 30 minutes and Maranan recording three rebounds in 17 minutes of action.
Women’s Basketball – Saturday, January 10
Game two followed a similar script, as Waterloo completed the sweep with an 85–59 win. Brooke Gruhn paced Algoma with a strong offensive showing, scoring 22 points in 31 minutes of play. Sadie Grawbarger posted a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes, while Mercedes Mazzuca added 13 points and four rebounds over 33 minutes.
Waterloo was led by Ghiselle Poblete, who scored 20 points with four rebounds in 27 minutes. Kymora Stafford recorded 11 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes, and Jaime Newell was dominant on the glass with 14 rebounds to go along with nine points in 33 minutes of action.
Men’s Basketball – Friday, January 9
On the men’s side, the Thunderbird men opened their weekend against Waterloo on January 9th, falling 91–56. Isaiah McRae led all scorers for the Warriors with 25 points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes. Stefan Prica added 15 points in 23 minutes, while Arshya Ghasemi contributed 15 points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
Algoma was led by Logan Whitmell, who scored 21 points in 21 minutes. Kal-El Alejo added 12 points and two rebounds in 27 minutes, while Shalom Anyikwa chipped in seven points and six rebounds over 20 minutes of play.
Men’s Basketball – Saturday, January 10
The Warriors completed the men’s sweep on Saturday with an 86–55 victory. Stefan Prica led Waterloo with 25 points in 21 minutes, while McRae added 12 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. Mose Anvari recorded nine points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes, and Thach Wal Nger finished with nine points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.
For Algoma, Kal-El Alejo led the way with 17 points and two rebounds in 29 minutes. Logan Whitmell added nine points in 26 minutes, and Elijah Quissua rounded out the top performers with 10 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes of action.
Up Next
The Algoma Thunderbirds will now head out on the road for a pair of weekend matchups. Both programs will travel to North Bay on January 16th to face the Nipissing Lakers, with the women tipping off at 6:00 p.m. followed by the men at 8:00 p.m. The Thunderbirds will then continue their road trip on January 17th in Sudbury against the Laurentian Voyageurs.
