Hoops homecoming for Fonthill native
Courtney Kilyk is returning to her basketball roots to wrap up her career at the post-secondary level.
The Fonthill native will be taking a post-graduate program at Niagara College after four years competing in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference with the St. Francis Xavier X-Women.
She has enrolled in the exercise science for health and program and intends to play for the Knights women’s basketball program.
Academics prompted Kilyk to leave Antigonish, N.S., where she earned a degree in kinesiology and her home away from home since graduating from Notre Dame College School in Welland.
“I felt that it would add significantly to my degree in kinesiology,” she said. “I feel that the program will enhance my knowledge level and benefit me by opening up many more future related employment opportunities.”
Kilyk, who honed her hoops skills with Pelham Panthers Basketball at the development level and with Niagara junior elite at the club level, is looking forward to playing for Niagara College.
“I am hoping to bring a lot of energy, skill and leadership to the court at Niagara College,” the 5-foot-8 guard said. “I want to bring my defensive intensity to the game and use my athleticism to create scoring opportunities for both teammates and myself.
“Being a part of a championship team would be the ultimate goal.”
Kilyk reached the AUS finals in 2013 and 2014 and was a finalist for the conference defensive player of the year award in 2015.
“Courtney finished four years at St. Francis Xavier and was an outstanding defensive player there,” Knights women’s basketball head coach Mike Beccaria said. “She will bring maturity to a fairly young team, and will certainly fill a void left due to some of our recent graduates.
“We envision Courtney expanding her game and contributing significantly on offence from the guard position.”
Kilyk currently works as a coach with No Limit Performance Basketball in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
She will be joining a program that is coming off back-to-back fifth place finishes at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship.
The team has already earned a commitment from Niagara Region high school all-star Lauren Frasca, Notre Dame, Welland.
A strong core of returning players include point guard Alyssa McCabe, A.N. Myer, Niagara Falls; and forward Mary Ingribelli, Governor Simcoe, St. Catharines.
The Knights will return to action when training camp opens Monday, Sept. 11, at the Athletic Centre on the college’s main campus in Welland.