Vernon Secondary's Emily Kanester #2, attacks the rim. (Photo contributed)
Heather Semeniuk is excited to announced that she has signed another player developed right here in the Okanagan Valley, as Vernon product, Emily Kanester has committed to suit up for the Heat this fall.
Emily, a 5’6” combo guard out of Vernon Secondary gives Heather another player from the interior to sign with her program. Emily joins Golden B.C.’s Tia Sadler as the second local player to sign with the Heat.
“Emily played the point guard position for both her high school team and for her club team. She will have to transition to the CIS level and be able to handle off guard duties as well,” adds Heather. “I’m willing to fight for whatever role on the team that I can,” adds Kanester, “I will work hard, especially on defense, which I really enjoy playing. I really like to play a full court man to man up-tempo style, pressuring the ball all the way up the court.”
Emily’s high school coach, Bobby Mitchell confirms Emily’s work ethic saying. “It [Emily’s work ethic] is some of the best I have ever seen, she was always in the gym working on her weaknesses or improving on something, which I think will carry over to the next level. Her potential as a CIS player is big, and the main reason why she is as competitive as she is, it drives her to win and be a winner, which is something you can't teach.”
Coach Semeniuk looks forward to pushing Emily and her work ethic every day in practice adding, “I really see her pushing the veteran’s for playing time.” Emily embraces this opportunity adding “I look forward to challenging the incumbent guards in practice.”
Emily averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in her senior year and has always had a nose for the hoop, constantly finding different ways to score. “Many of my points come from the charity stripe,” says Emily, “I like to go to the rim and draw the foul, but if my defender backs off I will knock down an open shot.”
UBC Okanagan Heat Women’s Basketball recruit – Emily Kanester (Phot Contributed)
Emily decided to attend UBC for the strength of the school’s academics, “I felt this school best fit with my academic goals.” Emily also adds, “I will enrol in the Bachelor of Science program with hopes of majoring in biology and then on to marine biology.” Attending UBC’s Okanagan campus will allow Emily “to play basketball and participate in University sport at the highest level offered, which I’m really excited to do.” Coach Semeniuk adds that, “Throughout the recruiting process Emily has been very clear about wanting to play at UBC O. I admire her initiative and her desire to improve her game to be the best player she can be. She is a very determined and focused student-athlete.”
Emily also states that a big part of deciding on UBC was the coach. “I love Heathers coaching style. It is the same type of playing atmosphere I experienced in high school and I wanted to continue on with that same style, when the team is like a family. I like that and I really like the girls that are already on the team.”
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