U of S hoops loses last Humbert sister
It’s the end of the road for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ Humbert sister pipeline.
Madeline Humbert — the youngest of three sisters to play five seasons for the U of S women’s basketball team — played her final game with the Huskies in Sunday’s U Sports national championship women’s basketball final.
Her sisters, Jill Humbert and Riley Humbert, played before her, each of them winning Canada West championship titles along the way.
“I mean, I don’t even want to think about the fact that we might not have a Humbert on the team next year,” said longtime U of S head coach Lisa Thomaidis. “I think we’ve had 12 years of Humberts, starting with Jill, then Riley and Maddie. I was joking with the parents, just thanking them and saying how much they had to do with the level of talent on our team over the past decade.
“They’ve been mainstays and such great people. Wonderful basketball players, but great people and tremendous ambassadors for our program in our community. They’re going to be missed dearly, not only the players but also the parents. It’s been an amazing run for three of them to come from the same family to play for us and have so much success is pretty remarkable.”
On Sunday, Saskatchewan settled for the silver medal after losing 69-48 to the Carleton University Ravens from Ottawa.
It marked the 10th appearance at nationals in 11 years for Saskatchewan, which won its one and only Bronze Baby and national title in 2016.
The Huskies were Canada West conference champions in 2017, 2016, 2013, 2011 and 2006 with at least one of the Humbert sisters playing a part in each title.