Local Hoops Star Signs with Lady ‘Cats

  Westman high school hoops star Shayna Mathison has mapped out her future by committing to the Brandon University women’s basketball team for the 2014-2015 Canada West season.
  "She has the work ethic needed to excel at this level. Doesn’t hurt that she’s 6-foot-2 and is pretty explosive for her size. I think she’ll be a good post player just because of those elements that she brings to the table," Lady ‘Cats coach Novell Thomas told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston. "I think she’s kind of like a blank canvas so to speak and I say that in a nice way, where I think there’s a lot of potential for growth and for improvement."
  Last season, Mathison helped her Hamiota Huskies win the ‘A’ provincial championship, while being recognized as the tournament’s most valuable player.
  "She’s already said she’s going to BU, but she still listens to an ‘A’ coach. She says ‘how do I get better?’ and that’s a special trait I think," said Huskies’ coach Jon Zilkey. "From grade nine to grade 12, she’s gotten better every year. She hasn’t been one of those players who in Grade 10 was really good, but didn’t improve. Even this year from last year when she was MVP, she’s better. She shoots better, she moves better and she understands the game better."
  In her senior high school season, Mathison is serving as captain and is averaging 25 points per-game.
  She was also a final cut for Manitoba’s bronze medal winning team at the Canada Summer Games in August.
  "Last year in the summer I made Team Manitoba and then from there on I realized I could go farther and then last year I got MVP and it helped make me realize that I could go play university," said Mathison.
  Mathison will follow in the footsteps of fellow Hamiota product and current BU rookie Keegan Robinson and as Mathison prepares to make the move to the higher level, she knows there’s a lot of work to do.
  "I’m going to need to be in a lot better shape and just work a lot harder at different things like post moves and my shot," added Mathison.