The government has amateur sports on pause but the shutdown won't stop the Jr. Lancers basketball program from growing.
Players continue to stay active training at home while preparing for an anticipated high school season and a big summer, "If they're going to pick up a scholarship it'll be this summer", said head coach Andrew Anderi.
Anderi and Steve Carey pitched the idea of the Jr. Lancers program four years ago to the University and former men's head coach Chris Oliver. The duo believed the new program would be the perfect platform to bridge youth basketball to the University of Windsor program, "Coaching in the high school scene I saw a disconnect", said Anderi, who was a second year undergrad student at the time, "Players not being as prepared for the next level because they weren't used to playing all stars on a consistent basis".
The idea was embraced and the Jr. Lancers were formed in the summer of 2018. Since then players have had a chance to elevate their game by having mentors like Thomas Kennedy and Shakael Pryce, current stars with the Lancers, drop in and offer guidance, "I think the development on and off the court has been next level to the extent that these guys are controlling what they can control to be prepared to perform at the next level", said Anderi.
Many of the current players form a core that have been together since the program's inception. The Jr. Lancers had a 17-3 record overall before the pause. They are undefeated at 12-0 in the North Pole League. Windsor also plays in the Premier league against prep programs and have a 5-3 record.
They are looking forward to the end of the provincial pause so they can resume their season and continue on pursuiing their goal of playing at the next level.
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