OCAA hoops standouts going to Brock
Courtney McPherson, Brooke-Lyn Murdoch leaving Niagara Knights after three seasons
Niagara College’s loss will be Brock University’s gain.
Welland natives Courtney McPherson and Brooke-Lyn Murdoch are transferring to the St. Catharines university after three seasons playing varsity women’s basketball at the region’s community college.
McPherson, a Confederation graduate, and Murdoch, a Jean Vanier alum, each has one season remaining in eligibility at the post-secondary level, as they attended Ottawa and McMaster, respectively, for one year before transferring to Niagara College.
Brock women’s basketball head coach Ashley MacSporran is excited with the new additions to the Badgers lineup.
“Both Brooke and Courtney will make an immediate impact with our program,” MacSporran said.
“Both bring experience, talent and leadership to our team, and I am looking forward to seeing these girls play at the university level.
“Both players are talented players but, more importantly, great young ladies with a lot of character that we want in a player.”
Despite going to different high schools, where each won back-toback Ontario single A girls basketball champions, the transfers are like sisters.
They have done everything together.
“Growing up anything we did, we did it together,” Murdoch said of the longtime friendship.
In addition to playing basketball and volleyball together at the club level while growing up, McPherson and Murdoch played on the same Niagara Juel (junior elite) team when they were in Grade 12.
The 21-year-olds remember their families taking trips together when they were younger.
“We have always had each other’s backs on whatever we did whether it was school or basketball,” McPherson said. “We continue to push each other to be better players working hard on our game.”
In high school McPherson played almost every varsity sport, as did Murdoch.
McPherson, a redshirt in her lone season in Ottawa, and Murdoch both struggled with injuries that limited their time on the court in their first year after graduating from high school.
They flourished in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) with the Knights. Both were selected West Region allstars and were key contributors to a team that finished 12-6 in league play and placed fifth at the provincial championships for the second year in a row.
“They were hardworking kids and outstanding defensive plus,” Niagara women’s basketball head coach Mike Beccaria said.
“They were a major part of what we did.”
In her final season at Niagara, McPherson was a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Academic All-Canadian as well as the team’s most valuable player. She also received the Leadership Award.
Murdoch was the OCAA West Region Defensive Player of the Year.
McPherson led Niagara in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game; as well as in rebounding, 10.8; while Murdoch finished second in scoring, 12.2; and topped the team with three steals per game.
Beccaria said their departures will create a “big void,” but he’s not about to categorize 201718 as a rebuilding season for the Knights.
“I still think we are going to be strong and competitive.”
Buoying his confidence are the additions of Courtney Kilyk, a transfer from St. Francis Xavier University, as well as Hannah Baker and Lauren Frasca, who were high school standouts at Thorold and Welland Notre Dame, respectively.
“Plus, there’s the maturation of players from last year’s team,” Beccaria. “They all should benefit from the experience.
“We’re really optimistic heading into next year.”
Murdoch intends to study kinesiology at Brock, furthering her goal of a career in athletic training. She is looking forward to learning from Badgers high-performance director Steve Lidstone, whom she met while attending McMaster in 2012.
“After battling through some injuries, Brooke deserves to be here,” said MacSporran. “She is an athletic young player with a great court vision.
“She has worked hard in the offseason, and we will look to help her expand and grow her game.”
McPherson will be studying recreation and leisure at the university.
“Courtney is a very selfless player and will do anything to help her team be successful,” MacSporran said. “She has worked hard on her game and is always willing to improve. I am just excited for her to be part of the Brock basketball family.”