Buttenham transfers
St. Mary’s grad will play for hometown Marauders next season
Welcome home.
After three years with the NCAA Division 1 Iowa Hawkeyes, Christina Buttenham has returned to her roots.
In a recent media release, Marauders head coach Theresa Burns announced the forward will suit up for the McMaster University women’s basketball team in 2018-2019.
“Christine is an elite player,” said Burns. “She represented Canada and has been a champion at so many levels.
“It’s exciting to have one of our elite hometown athletes come home.”
Buttenham won four consecutive OFSAA championships at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School as well as a bronze medal on the world stage at the U17 FIBA Championship and a silver medal at the U18 FIBA Americas Championship.
Buttenham, a five-time OBA champ, is “pumped” to return to the hardcourt in the Hammer and “stoked” to play with her former St. Mary teammate Hilary Hanaka.
“Watching Hilary and the Mac team has reminded me so much of St. Mary and Transway,” said the two-time Academic All Big Ten student-athlete. “I can’t wait to play that kind of basketball again.”
In fact, when Buttenham attended a Mac game after she returned from Iowa she “teared up a bit” watching Hanaka wearing the maroon and grey.
“Hilary has always been my favourite to play with,” the 21year-old added. “I am so excited to be back on the court again with her.”
Burns, too, is pumped that the former St. Mary Crusader will don the maroon and grey for the next two years.
“Christina’s basketball IQ is tremendous,” said the Mac bench boss. “She has such an outstanding work ethic. And she’s a wonderful teammate.
“Christina will bring a veteran presence at both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.”
More significantly, though, “Christina will be a tremendous role model for the young players in our community,” Burns added. “I think Christina is a perfect fit for our program.”
Clearly, Iowa was not the perfect fit for Buttenham.
“I lost myself as a player while I was in Iowa,” said the life science major. “I hope to bring ‘me’ to Mac. I am really looking forward to being the confident player I was and, with extra work, being better than before.”
When asked what made Mac so attractive, the former Hamilton Spectator All-Star was quick to reply. “The people,” she said. “The coaches at Mac have been so kind, so welcoming. And the players, too.”
Mac’s style of play and the fact that she gets to play so close to home was also appealing.
“After being 11 hours away from home for three years, I really started to miss home,” she added.
Buttenham brings so much more to the game than her court skills.
“Christina is such an intelligent, kind, respectful person,” said Burns. “I know the entire Hamilton basketball community is as excited as we are to see her on the Burridge court.”
And clearly, Buttenham is excited, too.
“I can’t wait to put on that McMaster uniform.”