Another Addy arrives at Brock
One month into summer training with the Brock Badgers women’s basketball team and Jamie Addy is still getting used to university ball.
“It is a big change from Juel,” the former Niagara Juel player said. “It goes from two days a week for an hour and a half to three days a week for three and a half hours each day. It’s a lot.”
The Governor Simcoe graduate is learning a ton about how her game stacks up.
“A lot of people are stronger than me right now, physically and mentally, so I just have to get better and I have to leave it all out there if I wanted to continue to grow,” the 18-year-old St. Catharines resident said.
The biggest adjustment she has had to make is with the physicality at the next level.
“Every girl is taller than me and I went from one of the strongest to being one of the littlest in the span of two weeks.”
She is working hard on her game in the summer and is hoping it will pay dividends this fall.
“I am working mostly on my ball handling because I know that is one of the things (head coach Mike) Rao looks for. He wants guards who can dribble really well and they need someone to break the press right now. That is where I am looking to fit in.”
Defence will also be important.
“I like to use my speed because I am quick for my size. I like to get down and dirty and get in people’s faces with it.”
She is enjoying the coaching of Rao.
“I love Rao. Nothing comes easy from him but I love that because it makes you want to become better,” Addy said. “He is brutally honest but you need that. I like that because I have always had a hard coach. If I am doing something wrong, I want to get yelled at. It will make me get better.”
Raso likes what he has seen so far from Addy.
“She is very hard working and she is a good defensive player. I think she can help the team playing that role right now.”
Her goals for her first Ontario University Athletics season are to see action in as many games as she can.
“I want to give it all I’ve got, never give up and just prove that I am a strong enough player to be on the court.”
She chose Brock for a variety of reasons.
“I wanted to stay home and I always felt welcome to come to Brock. And I wanted to play with my sister (Allison).”
The last reason is maybe the most important of all.
“I like being with a home body and Ally is my best friend.”
Her sister has given her plenty of advice already.
“She always says that nothing comes easy and you always have to work hard and leave everything out on the floor.”
Jamie will be studying child and youth studies at Brock and knows being an university student-athlete won’t be easy.
“It is going to be a big adjustment because I am going to be at Brock 12 hours a day every single day,” the Niagara Top 10 all-star said. “I was usually home from high school at 2:10 and then basketball at 7. Now I have to do all my work here. I will be going from my bedroom to study hall.”
All the work is worth it in her eyes.
“I have been playing basketball since I was seven years old and I have always loved it. It clears my mind from everything and when I am on the basketball court everything just feels right.”
