Hall, Brown find bronze looks pretty good in Canadian red
Bronze is beautiful.
Just ask Hanna Hall (St. Mary CSS alum/Lincoln Prep) and Hailey Brown (St. Thomas More CSS alum/TRC Academy).
The dynamic duo were members of Canada’s U19 national team that bagged bronze at the FIBA U19 World Cup (Udine Italy) this past summer.
After a disappointing loss to Russia (eventual gold medalists) in the semi-final, 65-41, Team Canada rebounded defeating Japan 67-60 to reach the podium.
“We wanted to make history,” said Hall now a freshman at State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. And they did. The previous best finish by a Canadian FIBA U19 women’s team was fourth in 2009 (Bangkok Thailand). That competent team featured Burlington’s Missy Mullins (Notre Dame CSS/Harvard University) and Dundas’ Jenny Vaughan (St. Mary CSS/Western University).
“So much pride came with winning that bronze medal,” said Hall.
Added Brown a freshman for the Big Ten’s Michigan Wolverines women’s program: “It was definitely the most emotion filled moment I have ever experienced on the court.
“Not once did I think we were going to lose (in the bronze medal game). And when the buzzer went it was a surreal feeling knowing that we were bringing a medal back to Canada.”
In the medal match, Brown knocked down 12 points and nabbed 5 boards while Hall was tenacious on defence. The speedy, scrappy point guard dished out four assists and popped 10 points in the bronze medal game.
Canadian coach Carly Clarke praised the play of Hamilton’s Hall and Brown.
“Hailey was a contributor on both ends of the court and was particularly impactful in the bronze medal game,” said Clarke.
“While Hanna struggled to make a shot all tournament she remained confident and resilient and brought her tenacity defence despite some of her offensive struggles.
“Then in the bronze medal game she was able to relax a little more offensively and knocked down some big shots throughout the game.”
At the medal ceremony the Canadian kids grinned from ear to ear as the bronze medal was draped around their neck.
“Playing for my country and wearing this jersey across my chest has taught me what it means to play for something bigger than myself,” said Hall.
Both young women have hung up their Canadian kit. For now.
Each has moved on to a new stage in their academic and athletic ca- reers.
“I am looking forward to taking on the next chapter in my life as an NCAA D1 basketball player (SUNY at Buffalo),” said Hall.
“I am excited for the challenge that comes with being a freshman and competing against the best of the best.”
In a Buffalo Bulls news release, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said, “We are very excited to have Hanna Hall join our Buffalo family. She is a general on the court that has a pass first mentality. She has a great awareness of angles on defence.”
Michigan Wolverines head coach Kim Barnes Arico has followed Brown’s career since she was 14 and is clearly delighted to have inked the talented six-foot-two post player.
“Hailey has a natural feel for the game and sees things developing two steps ahead of other players,” said Barnes Arico.
“She is a high character kid and “Michigan kid.” She has a high appreciation for the Michigan education as well as playing ball at the highest level.”
Clearly, the future is bright for Canada Basketball with quality kids like Hanna Hall and Hailey Brown in the stable.