The CMU Women's Basketball program has announced the commitment of Betty Girmay for the 2023-24 MCAC and NIAC seasons. The River East Collegiate product will bring a strong three-point game and play-making ability from the point to the Blazers this year.
Girmay and her high school River East Kodiaks squad had a strong showing in the MHSAA "AAAA" division this year, maintaining a top ten ranking in the province throughout the season, taking home third place wins in two of their four tournaments heading into Manitoba Provincial Championships. Girmay received All-Star and MVP recognition in those top-three tournament finishes at the Sisler Spartans Classic and Crocus Plains Tournament to go along with her KPAC conference All-Star and MHSAA Graduating All-Star awards. The Kodiaks were a dominant force in KPAC Tier 1, dropping only one regular season match to the Garden City Gophers, who they met again in the division final. River East entered the provincial championship as the sixth seed, and after a win over the hosts Crocus Plains, the Kodiaks found themselves up against their rivals the Gophers in the quarter-finals, but once again Garden City came out on top on their run to the provincial finals. Kodiaks varsity girls head coach Kristen Asmundson weighed in on what Girmay has brought to their program the past few years: "Betty has been an important part of Kodiaks basketball the past four years leading our JV and Varsity teams at the point guard position. In this role, she stood out mostly for her three-point shooting and deceptive ball handling skills. Betty has so much love and passion for basketball, you can see it when she competes and by how much time she puts into improving her game. Betty has been a part of Winnipeg Wolves, TAP and the provincial team, and will be a nice addition to the Blazers program and we look forward to seeing how she progresses there."
Girmay has most recently suited up for Manitoba Magic in the club basketball season, following in the footsteps of current Blazers notables Anna Pyne, and Madeleine Wynne, who will be expected to lead the Blazers from the point alongside their newest teammate this upcoming season. Girmay's Magic squad placed second in the PBA, and took home a 2005 Peg City banner this season. The team got a taste of competition south of the border, and Girmay will look to do the same this season with the Blazers who are once again scheduled to compete in the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is comprised of teams from Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
Connected to CMU through both her high school and club coaches, Girmay is hoping to pursue pre-med studies while not competing for the green and gold on the court. She is excited to meet people who she can create memories with while developing her game further and chasing banners for her new program. Coming off their fifth-consecutive MCAC title win, Blazers head coach Joe DiCurzio knows plenty about getting results in big games, and is thrilled with his latest signing, stating "Betty is one of the top graduating players in Manitoba this year as she excels as a point guard, a three-point shooter, and is a terrific defensive player. What sets her apart from many other athletes is her incredible passion for the game, her great friendly personality, and her terrific academic achievements. Betty will have a large impact in the success of the Blazers for many years."
With the 2023-23 school year now complete, the Blazers will soon start gearing up for next year when they will look to defend their MCAC title and put together another fantastic run South of the border after the team were finalists this year in their first season back in the NIAC since their 2020 Championship win.
Source: https://blazers.cmu.ca/blazers-wbb-recruit-girmay
