In just a few short weeks on the job, Bobcats women’s basketball coach Novell Thomas has been busy on the recruiting trail. Thomas is pleased to announce the commitment of his third recruit of the year in Winnipeg product Carrera Lamoureux. Lamoureux is transferring to Brandon University from Canadian Mennonite University where she played with the Blazers for the past two seasons. “Carrera was a surprise because she showed up at our ID camp and instantly demonstrated the level of skill of an everyday CIS player,” says Thomas. “While participating in drills she made some good decisions and was always looking to push the ball up court.”
In her two seasons in the MCAC (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference) Lamoureux earned league all-star selections twice. Following an impressive performance in Brandon against Assiniboine Community College last November, Lamoureux earned MCAC Athlete of the Week honours. She was also named the MHSAA (Manitoba High Schools Athletics Association) AA Female Basketball Player of the Year in 2010.
The graduate of The King’s School in Winnipeg is looking forward to the opportunity to jump to the CIS and help the Bobcats continue to improve.
“It’s impossible to be excited for only one aspect of joining the Bobcats and attending Brandon University,” says Lamoureux. “Besides having the opportunity to play alongside talented and hard-working team mates, I am also looking forward to being coached by Novell. I am both eager to be mentored by him, as well as honoured to be a part of his plans for the future.”
Lamoureux joins fellow new Bobcats in Ambrea McDonald –Okoro and Maegan MacKay from Regina, both of whom will be first-year players from high-school. Lamoureux will provide experience to a relatively young team, and a passion to improve both herself and the group.
“I’ve had some great conversations with her and what’s most impressive is her drive and determination to improve and contribute,” adds Thomas. “CIS basketball is a big jump up from the college game but I’m confident that she’ll adapt quickly.”
Thomas signs second recruit from Regina
May 9th, 2012
Thomas signs second recruit from Regina 
BRANDON, MB – A little over one week after announcing his first recruit as head coach of the Bobcats women’s basketball team, Novell Thomas has gone back to the Queen City for his second recruit.Regina’s Maegan MacKay of Balfour Collegiate has signed a letter of intent to play for Brandon University starting in the fall of 2012.
“I really am excited about the opportunity to come and hopefully make an impact,” says MacKay. “Novell has a lot of basketball experience and I know I can learn from him. I know the program has faced some struggles in the past few years, so I want to come be part of where the team is headed.”
The 5-foot-10 guard is an athletic perimeter player who has the ability to drive to the basket.
“Maegan has a very strong skill-set. She will provide us with perimeter scoring and I see her as the type of player who will stretch the defense,” says Thomas. “I think she has a high basketball IQ. She can shoot the three and she can get her shot off quickly. She also has the ability to drive to the hoop.”
MacKay is set to graduate from Balfour this June, where she has played for the girls varsity basketball team for four seasons, earning individual accolades including team rookie of the year in her grade nine year and the team’s leadership award in her grade 10 season.
Despite being a young player, experience is not something MacKay lacks. She first started playing club basketball when she was in grade five. Add her extraordinary work ethic to the mix, and MacKay is set to thrive at the university level.
“Maegan trains very hard and I’m expecting her to be stronger and ready for training camp in September. I see her as a contributor in her first year. However, she’ll have to compete for playing time like everyone else on the team,” adds Thomas.
Like any university athlete, MacKay has set goals for herself, but her primary commitment is to her improvement and the team.
“My goals are simple. I just want to keep getting better as a player and help turn this program around. I know that I probably won’t start or play as much in my rookie year, but I just want to contribute as much as I can to the team and make myself better as a player.”