Fehr an emerging threat coming off Huskies’ bench
Brianna Fehr has the hot hand. Just call her Sure Shot.
Fehr — now in her third year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies — has emerged as an offensive threat while coming off the bench with the perennial powerhouse U Sports women’s basketball squad.
When Fehr steps onto the floor, she’s been shooting the lights out from beyond the three-point arc at an impressive 45.8 per cent clip.
“She’s coming into her own this year, for sure ,” says U of S women’ s basketball head coach Lisa Thomaidis, whose Huskies play host to the University of British ColumbiaOkanagan Heat in a two-game series on Thursday and Friday (6 p.m.) at the PAC.
“When we recruited her out of Calgary, we knew that she was an offensive threat. She was a potent scorer in high school and that’s what we need her to bring here.”
While Fehr could be starting on many U Sports teams, she’s paid her dues with the Huskies who are deeper than most teams.
Most newcomers are given plenty of time to adjust.
“As we usually say to a lot of our first-year players, it usually takes a couple of years to get accustomed to everything and kind of get into a groove, get used to some new coaches and teammates and system of play — that’s exactly what’s happened with her,” said Thomaidis, whose 2018 U Sport silver medallist Huskies are 8-2 so far in Canada West conference play this season.
“She certainly had some good games towards the end of the season and you could start to see she was coming along and playing with a lot more confidence. This
year has been a new entity. She’s picked up where she has left off.”
Fehr — who has played in all 10 games so far in the Canada West conference — is averaging 15.8 minutes, seven points and 1.4 assists per game.
“My teammates are really good at finding me on the ‘three’ and that helps,” said the 5-foot-10 Fehr.
“And getting into the gym for extra practice really helps, and our coaches are really good at facilitating the time that we have in the gym.
“It helps having trust in your skills and ability to have that shot ready, especially the coaches — their confidence helps a lot, too.”
Last season, Fehr averaged 2.6 points, 9.2 minutes and 0.9 assists per game.
Thomaidis agrees that “the big one” is Fehr is playing with confidence and not putting so much pressure on herself.
“She lets it go,” said Thomaidis. “She’s shooting the three very well, handling the ball a little bit. She’s just another threat with the three. Bringing her off the bench, the level of play doesn’t dip at all when she steps on the floor. It’s great to have that depth with her coming in and being that offensive weapon.”
Although Fehr is a pure shooter, she can also take on opponents off the dribble.
“She does have the ability to break somebody down to get to the rim and put pressure on the rim there,” said Thomaidis.
“She hasn’t shot a ton of free throws, but we really see her as somebody who can draw contact and create for others by getting herself to the rim. She has a long first step. You have to defend her outside the three-point line, but she can also beat you with the dribble.
“She’s just the kind of player who is well-rounded and you have to worry about.”
The 20-year-old Fehr is joined by twin sister Christy on the Huskies. They’re living together while enjoying the U Sport experience.
“It’s really fun,” said Brianna. “We’re each other’s best friend. She’s also my critic and I’m hers, so it helps a lot.”
Expectations are high for the 2018 U Sports runner-up Huskies, who are closing out the first term this week.
Fehr knows that. She also knows more is expected of her.
“Our goals are very similar as last year,” said Fehr. “Being in third year and having that experience has definitely come with a larger role, and I’m definitely ready to take it on.
“(Being a 2018 silver medallist) puts some pressure on us. That’s definitely our goal again, to be in that (national championship) game, but hopefully finishing with gold this time.”