For Madison Landry, and most of her UNBC teammates, the cancellation of the 2020-21 Canada West basketball season was inevitable.
A week ago, on Oct. 15, the U-Sports regional conference decided to forego the Nov. 2 scheduled announcement and officially waive any chance of a season starting after New Year’s Day 2021 due to the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and put player safety first ahead of competition.
The now gap year didn’t come as a surprise to Landry as there were numerous signs leading up to it, in addition to the rise of infected cases across B.C., but walking into the gymnasium may be a sombre moment each practice from now until March.
“I think a lot of us going into the season all kind of knew that that was likely going to be the outcome, so at least it wasn’t a big blindside, but still hearing that it was officially cancelled was pretty heartbreaking,” the fifth-year veteran told PrinceGeorgeMatters, explaining every Timberwolf basketball player received the unfortunate news on a Zoom call with UNBC Athletic Director Loralyn Murdoch, and coaches Sergey Shchepotkin and Todd Jordan.
“It’s been a weird kind of year and time. I know a lot of people on other teams who are my year of study are having the same kind of thoughts of whether to come back or what to do next because it’s a weird situation to be in.”
Canada West says player eligibility won’t be lost on those in their final year at the highest level of university sport in the country, but it may impact their academic plans as some may wish to simply move on.
The wound may still be fresh for Landry as she says she hasn’t decided yet on returning for 2021-22, should a season take place.
“There’s a lot to think about with the next steps and stuff. I don’t really know what my next year is going to look like.”
The extended preseason, as the Prince George product out of Duchess Park Secondary (2016) describes it, will be a time of looking ahead at the future of the Lady T-Wolves’ program.
It’s first above-500 record was set last season at 11-9, but UNBC had to win eight straight games to get to that mark and some with only six active players.
The four-year progression included four consecutive playoff appearances, its first postseason win since joining Canada West in 2014 and many athletes that have gone on to play in professional leagues.
“When you leave it all out on the floor, great things can happen,” said Landry when asked out the chance at the green and gold making a championship run in the near future.
“I think that, being the underdog for most of the games we’ve played in the past, I think now people are starting to realize like, ‘Okay, these girls are pretty good. Don’t count them out.’
“The recruits that we’ve gotten are just going to add so much positive energy to the team. Even in this gap year, we’re going to just keep working despite not having league games. We’re practicing nine times a week, so we’re pretty much so in that mental state that we’re, you know, going to keep carrying on this program and legacy that we’ve been building.”
So, when a season is cancelled, is it still worth practicing? Landry explains it’s very important, but it does come with a mental roller-coaster when slipping on the kicks.
“I think we’re slowly approaching that time where everyone’s going to be like, you know, ‘Why are we doing this? I just want a break?’ the 22-year-old said with a slight chuckle.
“Games really are what keeps us pushing when we do those morning workouts, but we’re definitely going to have to get creative, stay motivated and help each other. This is just one year and it is about growing. We are learning plays, learning defenses; it’s not like we’re just shooting [the ball] around. Sergey [Shchepotkin] really has us in the mindset that this is all going to be used.”
So, until she makes a final decision, Landry is set to continue her commendable academic route in working towards a degree in Health Science, with a minor in First Nations studies, and medical school aspirations once she graduates UNBC.
If she has in fact played her final game, the memories will last a lifetime for 2019-20 Canada West Third-Team All-Star.
“Even when I first signed to play at UNBC, I knew that it would such an honour to play in front of my hometown and be close to my family and friends, but over the course of the four years, I mean, it’s just been amazing with the support I’ve gotten from local people I didn’t even know coming into the program. I’m so happy I chose to play for UNBC, to stay here, and it just meant the world [to me].”
Landry finished third in Canada West women’s basketball scoring last year, bucketing an average of 19.1 points per game after potting double-digits in 19 of the Timberwolves’ 20 regular-season games.
She was named her team’s co-MVP, sharing the honour with former teammate Maria Mongomo.
(via Canada West)
