NACI Tiger wins provincial player of the year

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Published on Thursday, April 21, 2016

Submitted photo. (L to R) Coach Jody Jury, players Danielle Hanke and Lina Gordon and coach Darren Roe at the Basketball Manitoba awards ceremony. They, along with Jayme Kulbacki (not pictured), represented the NACI Tigers at the banquet, as well as on the court during the all-star game on Saturday, Apr. 16, in Winnipeg.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

Lina Gordon of the NACI Tigers has been honoured as Basketball Manitoba’s AAfemale player of the year. The senior received the prestigious award on Saturday, Apr. 16 at the Basketball Manitoba Awards banquet in Winnipeg. It was a part of a full weekend of festivities, which included several basketball games, featuring the boys and girls A - AAA and AAAA graduating all-stars.

Gordon’s coaches, Jody Jury and Darren Roe presented her with the accolade. During her presentation speech, Jury noted that both coaches are very proud of how Lina has developed, both as a player and as a person.

“It’s my honour to present Lina with the award for ‘AA’ female player of the year. She works hard on and off the court. She’s an honour student and is going to the University of Manitoba next year. I’m excited to see her start her adult life,” said Jury. “On the court, she’s always been asked to guard the best players on the other team and she’s always done a great job with it. And as one of the leaders of our team, she’s always been a very positive influence.”

Gordon said that being singled out in this manner was an unexpected honour.

“I couldn’t believe it. When my name was announced, I genuinely was shocked.” said Gordon. “To be recognized at this high a level was tremendous. I didn’t do it alone though, my teammates made me look good out there. And [coaches] Darren and Jody really kept us focused and gave [the players] the knowledge and techniques we needed to improve our game. Also have to thank my parents. Their guidance and support not just in my athletics by just in general was so incredible. This isn’t just my award, it’s theirs as well.”

Before the awards ceremony, Gordon, along with teammates Jayme Kulbacki and Danielle Hanke, played in the provincial all-star game. After that game concluded, Hanke received the player of the game honour and was chosen for the second team lineup of the A-AAA female all-Manitoba team. Later, at the awards ceremony, Jury commended Hanke, Kulbacki and the rest of the NACI Tigers for how they have developed their skills over the years.

“In our program, [Darren Roe] and I have been super lucky to have a fantastic group of girls to coach. These girls started way back in grade four. Sometimes we thought they’d never make it, but here they are. We’re proud of them all and it’s been an honour to coach them all and see each of them develop into the confident young women that they are today,” said Jury.