WBB: Canada West projects Timberwolves to finish 13th in 2022-2023

Women's Basketball
October 31, 2022
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ON CANADA WEST TV

Every women's basketball game will be available live and on demand this season exclusively on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here

2022-23 CW WBB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team - Points
Saskatchewan Huskies - 243
Fraser Valley Cascades - 236
Regina Cougars - 231
Calgary Dinos - 196
Alberta Pandas - 196
Winnipeg Wesmen - 195
Victoria Vikes - 162
Trinity Western Spartans - 141
UBC Thunderbirds - 137
Lethbridge Pronghorns - 133
Mount Royal Cougars - 97
UBCO Heat - 85
UNBC Timberwolves - 83
MacEwan Griffins - 67
Manitoba Bisons - 61
Brandon Bobcats - 31
Thompson Rivers - 18

NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-17. First-place votes worth 17 points, second-place worth 16 points etc. 

UNBC Timberwolves
2021 CW regular season record: 8-10, 4th in West Division
2021 post-season record: 1-1, Lost in Quarterfinal
Head Coach: Sergey Shchepotkin, 9th season / 56-102
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A
 
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 69.6 PPG, 7th
Defence: 70.9 PPG, 13th
 
2021 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Points/game: 18.5 – Alina Shakirova, F
Assists: 2.8 – Alina Shakirova, F
Blocks: 0.3 – Sveta Boykova, F
Rebounds/game: 12.1 – Sveta Boykova, F
3PT percentage: 37.5 – Sarah Kuklisin, G
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Amrit Manak / G / 1 / Toronto, ON / Mississauga Monarchs
Olivia Wilson / F / 5 / Oakville, ON / McMaster Marauders
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Emma vanBruinessen / F / Leduc, AB / 3
Anastasia Soltes / G / Calgary, AB / 3
Lucy Guan / G / Vancouver, BC / 5
 
Key performer (pictured above):
Alina Shakirova
F
5
Moscow, RU
2021 Stats: (18.5 PPG/ 2.8 APG/0.1 BLKS/ 1.9 SPG / 6.7 RPG/31.3 3PT%)
 
Alina Shakirova will look to put the cherry on a tremendous career this season; one that has seen her evolve from a reserve, to a defensive stopper, to an elite scorer at the Canada West level. In 2021-2022, the Moscow product returned from a torn ACL and finished second in scoring in the conference, while leading the Timberwolves with her defense and commitment. Baby Shak will need to be special this season, on a young TWolves squad looking to take another step in the standings.