OCAA bronze medal at home a ‘bittersweet’ finish for senior Algonquin basketball ‘sisters’
March 3, 2025
By Isabella Disley
Libby Hirst was one of 11 graduating Algonquin College Wolves women’s basketball players who earned a bronze medal during the Ontario college championships on Mar. 1 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Photo: Isabella Disley
It was a season full of successes, emotions and howls for the graduating seniors on the Algonquin College Wolves women’s basketball team.
They enjoyed their third straight undefeated regular season and were ranked first in the nation for the first time in program history this year, which earned them the chance to host the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association final four on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1.
But the 11 graduating Wolves didn’t get their dream finish when they lost 57-43 in the semi-finals to the Humber Hawks before rebounding for a 68-50 bronze medal win over the Fanshawe Falcons at a boisterous Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.
“I think today it was just to prove a point: we deserve a medal,” Wolves senior Libby Hirst said after Saturday’s Algonquin win. “It was our last go at anything for a lot of us. I think it was just to be stronger and show everybody what we are.”
This year was extra special for the Hirst family. All three sisters, Libby, Leah and Anna, played together for the first time with the Wolves. Libby is the oldest sister and said that playing with them is “my favourite thing ever.”
“Nothing will ever beat this feeling,” smiled the forward from White Lake, ON near Arnprior. “I would do it all over again if I had the chance.”
The satisfaction of earning a third consecutive provincial podium contrasted with the Wolves’ emotions from less than 20 hours earlier when Humber took control of a tight two-point game with a dominant 23-11 fourth quarter.
No Wolves players hit double-digits in the game, including OCAA east player of the year Dasia McDonald, who shared what was expressed in the team’s postgame huddle.
“Keep our heads high and the emotions that we’re feeling right now are totally fine. We’re all human. It’s okay to feel sad during this game and after it, but we have tomorrow to lock in and hopefully go for bronze,” recounted the guard from Barrhaven who then laid down a 23-point performance the next day to clinch her medal.
Dasia McDonald had a game-high 23 points in her Algonquin Wolves’ 68-50 win over Fanshawe in the OCAA women’s basketball bronze medal match. Photo: Isabella Disley
Mohawk topped Humber 73-69 in the championship game to advance to the national championships. Fifth-year Wolf Madison Robert described her team’s season in one word: “bittersweet.”
“There were so many good moments and so many tough moments and at the end of the day, we stayed together throughout all of it,” underlined the forward from Orleans. “Sharing everything we know to pass it forward was a big thing for us. We’re kind of excited to pass the torch.”
Hirst echoed that a major goal for the 11 of 14 Wolves who finishing their college programs this season was to act as “the heartbeat of the team” and to set a culture for future players to emulate.
Jessica De Haan from Thunder Bay was a new addition to this year’s team.
“They welcomed me with open arms,” recounted the forward who previously played for Lakehead University from 2012-2014. “They’re such a good foundation of support and it’s such a good environment.”
Fifth-year guard Sydney Moore prefers her final memories with the Wolves over her first, when she arrived during the pandemic.
“We weren’t even allowed fans because we were all wearing masks. To see both stands packed, and all our friends who wanted to come, is such an amazing experience,” signalled the player from Arnprior. “It was the best way that we could’ve possibly ended. We built such a great community.”
Moore said she’ll never forget last season when a group of parents made a long trip to watch their Ontario championship game against Lambton.
“They brought pots and pans and wore the construction hats,” recalled Moore. “They made the whole trek down to Sarnia to cheer us on and they always give us a cheer whenever we finish the games.”
Sydney Moore. Photo: Isabella Disley
But getting the chance to finish their careers playing on their home court was extra special for Algonquin’s grads.
“We don’t take enough time to celebrate how amazing our fanbase is,” Hirst indicated. “The gym was packed last night, and the gym today was full. To be at home and have everybody being able to be here was the most awesome thing in the world.”
The 2025 OCAA women’s basketball bronze-medallist Algonquin Wolves. Photo: Isabella Disley
The Wolves’ seniors treasured the opportunity to play in that setting for a final time together. Moore defined the group as a sisterhood.
“I’ve never been on a team like this before. We’re all so close,” she highlighted. “There’s absolutely no drama between anybody. We all get along. That’s why we’re all so emotional – not necessarily that basketball is over, but getting to see each other all the time and having that kind of family aspect together is over.”
Wolves head coach Jamie McLean said the players’ hunger to fight for each other was their biggest weapon.
“That’s been the mentality 100%. They’ve built this team as a group of girls that are like sisters. They look forward to the time together. There are very few teams I’ve coached where there’s no issue in the locker room. It’s a very special group of kids,” he noted. “All these girls are going to be super proud of what they’ve achieved and what they’ve done.”