Five basketball standouts joining women Lancers

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a uniquely challenging environment for recruiting.

Seeing an athlete in action live was impossible for University of Windsor head women's basketball coach Chantal Vallee and athletes looking to showcase their talents also struggled to do so under pandemic restrictions.

Still, Vallee announced five recruits on Wednesday, featuring Isabella Anes, who represented Venezuela at the national level, local high school standouts Hayley Woods and Reighan Dales along with British Columbia's Abby Bodden and Sarnia's Jayden Larocque. “I'm really, really pleased with this class,” Vallee said.

A point guard, the five-foot-six Anes played for Venezuela's U14, U15 and U16 before heading to the U.S. hoping for a scholarship before eventually joining her family and settling in Toronto two years ago.

Anes secured that NCAA scholarship offer from Brown University, but when a new coaching staff took over the offer was pulled and she turned to Vallee, whom she met in 2019.

“Chantal and I had a good relationship since way before,” the 19-year-old Anes said. “I visited Windsor in 2020 and when I committed to Brown I was weighing between Windsor. It wasn't easy at all (having the offer pulled), but there was something about Windsor that always told me I had to think about it. They're good people and it's a great opportunity.”

Vallee is so high on Anes that she compares her to Windsor native and national team member Miah-marie Langlois, who guided the Lancers to four national titles.

“I don't want to put pressure on her,” Vallee said. “That's not the point. My goal is to make sure she can perform the best she can, but she really has the same game style and reminds me of Mia. Not just the game style, but also the smarts, she's articulate and has great leadership skills.”

Vallee thought Woods, who is a Villanova high school product, was also considering the U.S. college route, but she never closed her mind to staying home.

“Originally, my plan was to go to the States,” said the 17-yearold Woods, who is a six-foot guard. “That was my No. 1 goal. As I was playing longer, I wanted to consider Canadian schools. They're just as good, close to family and close to home.”

Woods and Dales have become fast friends while playing JUEL basketball for Windsor St. Clair.

“We've played together since I was in Grade 6 with the Windsor Valiants,” the 17-year-old Dales said. “She was gone in Grade 9 and 10, but we played again last year and we got to be really close. She's one of my best friends and I can talk to her about everything.

“I think I've always wanted to go to Windsor, but once I met everyone and how everyone got along like a family, it really influenced me. I'm really excited to learn from the players there.”

Another six-footer, Dales can play the post for the Lancers after being a standout at St. Anne high school.

“My priority is always to keep the best locals here,” Vallee said. “I understand some want to go away, but Haley wanting to stay is huge. She's a fantastic athlete and you think of her you think of someone like Andrea Kiss and Reighan will create huge matchup problems.”

A six-foot-three forward, Larocque has family ties to the program. She is the cousin of former Lancer standout Jocelyn Larocque, who won five national titles in Windsor.

A shooting guard, the five-footnine Bodden moved from B.C. to play at the Caledon Basketball Academy in Bolton.

“Jocelyn was so much a part of the family and I'm thrilled to be working with Jayden” Vallee said. “Abby has a great personality and another great leader. You think of Carly Steer (the OUA all-time leader in three-point shots) when you watch her shoot.”