As Hugo Boisvert heads to Ontario Tech, Christopher Rao replaces him at Lakehead, and the Thunderwolves women's basketball program will be entering 2025-2026 with a new head coach.
Familiar faces is what Christopher said to expect in his first year, and those faces will have to be the ones the team depends on as they start to instil a new culture.
An up and down last season is in the rearview for the Thunderwolves. They came close but missed out on a playoff spot in 2024-2025. This year the hope of returning important pieces plus the infusion of a new voice lifting this team into a consistent playoff contender once again is the fuel for a strong vision of the future.
Who are those returning pieces? Ally Burke and Keira Chow in the backcourt, Eva Guilera, Kelly-Ann Coulombe and Sara Azzolini in the front court, among others. They've added recruit Awa Diop from Quebec for more depth but this roster is a lot of returning faces looking to build on last season.
Burke led the team in scoring last season with 13.2 points per game as their primary option on the offensive end, and that is something to expect as she enters her senior season with the Thunderwolves. Her ability to put the ball on the ground and get to the rim was a big weapon for the Thunderwolves last season.
Their leading rebounder was Coulombe who enters her third season with the Thunderwolves, now one of the older players on the team and one Lakehead will depend on as they shift into a new era of their program.
She is one of five listed forwards on the Thunderwolves roster and her alongside the teams second leading rebounder Eva Guilera, will probably be the starting forwards as Lakehead opens the season, controlling the glass and getting second chance opportunities for the deep group of guards Lakehead has.
The guard depth remains very similar to 2024, but this year one name sticks out to me as one to watch. Last season the Lakehead Thunderwolves added Alli Read from Algoma University to their squad as a veteran guard who brings leadership and a versatile game.
As she enters her fifth season, how she is able to impact the Thunderwolves play on the court and her leadership and experience is going to be really important setting coach Christopher Rao's new system and transitioning to it smoothly.
Lakehead opens the season at home against Queen's and Ontario Tech before going into Toronto for games against TMU and the University of Toronto. A new era of Thunderwolves basketball is starting and a veteran group is returning to ensure the transition is as smooth as it can be.