Weinert Ontario’s best once again
Madalyn Weinert has gone back to back.
For the second straight year, the 21-year-old St. Catharines basketball player was named the Ontario University Athletics Player of the Year and a First Team All-Canadian.
“It feels really good. It has been such a neat opportunity to obviously win the awards but be a part of teams which have supported me through that process,” she said. “Every day the girls come in and it’s not just a reflection of the work that I put in but also the work of the team and how I am not me if they are not them. It is a true testament to all 15 girls and the coaching staff we had this year.”
Her teammates and coaches help in so many ways.
“My name goes on it but there is so much more that goes into it. There’s coaches that come for individual practices. There’s coaches that cut film for you and have those film sessions with you. There are teammates who pick you up when you are feeling down. There’s teammates that come and get extra reps with you so you don’t have to do it alone. Teammates who do the un-fun cardio with you,” 5-foot-10 guard/forward said. “It is in those tough moments that it shows how much bigger it is than just one person.”
This past season, the Eden alumnus led the nation in points per game (21.8) for the second straight year and was second in blocks (42) and third in rebounds (262). She led the OUA in total points, point per game, free throw percentage (87.7) and three-point percentage (39.0).
“Throughout this year, I have been really challenged to look on the mental side of the game more, introspectively reflecting and the whys behind what we do on the court. That has been a big thing because playing and being in the gym comes naturally but sometimes it’s the finer details that separates good athletes from great athletes. It’s getting better at those in-between pieces.”
The next step in her progression is continuing to refine the mental part of her game, building her confidence and becoming a better leader.
“It’s being that leader that brings people with me. How many more people can we get in the gym at 7 in the morning? How many more can we get in there on Saturdays and Sundays to do some extra cardio? It’s demonstrating that you are a leader and showing that the work that we put in will be beneficial when we get back into the season.”
Weinert has never lacked motivation to put in the extra work.
“It’s to be the best version of me and the best person to hit that court. I’m lucky that trying to be the best is so internal and that is what drives me to get out there every day.”
That mantra has always been there.
“I consider myself lucky to have that internal drive. My dad mentioned the other day that it is easy to put your reliance on the awards that come and to play for them, but it’s hard to continue playing when they don’t come. Nothing is guaranteed next year,” she said. “You have be the best version of yourself every day.”
She is true basketball junkie.
“Every year there is a little bit more love for it. Next season will be my last year and it’s not taking anything for granted and seeing that there is so much joy every day in what I get to do. I am so grateful for that.”
She is shocked how quickly her first four years at Brock have gone.
“It is crazy how it has gone by so fast. I am so excited that I have one more year with Shae (head coach Dheensaw) and all the girls. It is going to be a lot of fun.”
She’s not sure what is in store when her fifth year is done.
“I will probably apply for the graduate program in health sciences and then we will see where that goes. The programs are so competitive right now.”
Weinert’s impressive list of personal accolades would no doubt allow land her an overseas basketball contract but that is not part of her plans.
“It has never been at the forefront of what I wanted and as of right now I have no plans to. Who knows in a year if that changes? At some point, you have to move on. Real life is reality. I have loved my time at Brock and I don’t know if I want to go away and have that be soured by something. It’s not all glamorous.”
She is also a big fan of St. Catharines.
“I definitely like the area and I don’t know if I want to go anywhere else.”
She plans to continue on in basketball in some capacity.
“I will stay involved at Brock helping her (Dheensaw) with the golf tournament and things like that.”
Weinert has loved her time at Brock.
“It’s my second family and it’s not just the team. It is the entire athletics department that has been behind me in everything I’ve done. I’ve gotten to be a part of the athletic leadership council for the past couple of years and that has been a neat way to engage with the broader community, get to know so many other people and be excited for the other teams that play.”
She enjoys talking to younger girls who come watch Brock play and the people she met while doing a placement at the Functional Inclusive Training Centre at Canada Games Park.
“So many of them come to watch and have brought their grandkids. To have that community has been everything to me and it is something I hope I can be a part of forever.”
But before all that happens, there’s one more season to play.
“We are going to have to have a really good summer. We are going to have to put a lot of work in and when September, October and November rolls around, we are going to be as ready as we can be.”
Dheensaw will miss Weinert.
“Every day she exemplifies what it means to have an elite work ethic and she does so with a smile,” she told the Brock Athletics website. “As a coach, it’s impossible not to be in awe of her – her constant growth, not only as a player but as a person is truly inspiring.”
Dheensaw described the back-to-back Player of the Year honours as no small accomplishment.
“This year she has elevated her game to new heights, both on the court and as a leader.”
