A rookie coach is leading the Falcons.

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) regular season is currently under way for the Fanshawe Falcon women's basketball team. Led by first-year head coach Kevin Gordon, the Falcons had a 1-1 record as of November 15 in OCAA play.

Assisted by former team MVP and OCAA All-star Katie Havekes, Gordon said they have good coaching chemistry together but he is still adjusting individually to being the man in charge for the Falcons.

“I think we work very well together as we each bring different strengths to the program, mine lie in preparation for competition, hers lie in skill execution, post players in particular, and ensuring I see the player's perspective on things,” Gordon said. “It is certainly a little different having the “buck stop” with me, but I enjoy the challenge and responsibility of building this program back to a perennial championship-contender level.”

Gordon said last years leading scorer Jessica Finlay, last years team MVP Penny Ackersviller, and last year's Coaches Award winner Brooke Symons will be counted on this season to lead the team.

“Each have a large role for our squad, not only as our tri-captains, but also in terms of production on the floor,” Gordon said.

The teams top two recruits were Chelsea Brown, of London, and Taylor Knipe, of Owen Sound, according to Gordon.

“I think both will be challenging for league rookie of the year honours this season,” Gordon said.

“Chelsea may be our smartest defensive player and has taken over the point guard responsibilities on offence. Taylor, I would say is one of the top five back-to-the-basket players in the province already. She will have one of the best field-goal percentages in the province and her size, 6'2, will make life difficult for the opposition at both ends of the floor.”

Gordon said that the strengths for the team include their athleticism and their balanced attack while their depth is their most glaring weakness.

“Teams playing us must “pick their poison,” as in, who will they try to shut down. We have several players capable of stepping in to fill the role of the hero on any given night,” Gordon said. “We are sitting at a roster of 10 people (as of Nov. 10) and only seven of those began the season with us. This means that we are all at various stages of learning in regards to our offensive and defensive systems.”

Although Gordon admits the OCAA West division is extremely tough this season, he said the team has a legitimate opportunity to medal in the provincial championships.

“We have an excellent chance to medal at this year's OCAA Championships,” said Gordon. “It will take a great deal of hard work, and we will have to get to know each other much better on the court, but competing for a title is not out of the question.”

The Falcons defeated the Sheridan Bruins 59-43 on November 11 for their first regular season victory of the year. Fanshawe's next game is at Mohawk College, on Tuesday November 21 at 6 p.m.