Lambton's Breanna Pretty named OCAA Female Athlete of the Year
SARNIA, April 18, 2024 – Their historical season might have ended, but the spotlight continues to shine on the Lambton Lions Women’s Basketball team.
Earlier this week, Lambton’s Breanna Pretty was honoured as the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) 2023-24 Female Athlete of the Year. The prestigious award is a testament to Pretty’s exceptional performance throughout the season – and marks yet another historical first for Lambton’s Athletics program.
Pretty, a fourth-year guard/forward for the Lambton Lions, has been a standout player on the provincial college basketball circuit. Her impressive statistics include ranking fourth in assists with 62, eighth in steals with 45, and seventh in points with 224. Over the course of 18 games, she averaged 14 points and 6.8 rebounds, leading the Lions to a stellar 14-2 record and a West Division championship.
Her remarkable season earned her multiple honours, including OCAA Player of the Year, a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian title, West Division Player of the Year, and a West Division First-Team All-Star.
In the post-season, Pretty’s leadership and skill were instrumental in the Lions’ dominant performance, culminating in a historic gold medal victory over the Algonquin Wolves to secure Lambton’s first-ever OCAA championship in front of a capacity crowd on home court.
Pretty’s contributions throughout the playoffs were pivotal, earning her the Most Valuable Player title for the final tournament.
The Lions success continued as they travelled to in Lloydminster, Alberta where they claimed a silver medal at Canadian College Athletics Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championships.
It was the Lion’s first appearance at the National Championships and the first-ever team to bring home a national medal. Pretty’s star also continued to rise on the national stage, scoring a game-high 28 points in the team’s CCAA championship debut and being named a CCAA Championship First-Team All-Star.
Pretty’s dedication to the game also earned her the title of Lambton’s Female Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive year. On the heels of what has been one of the most decorated varsity seasons in Lambton College history, President & CEO Rob Kardas says Pretty’s performance has had an exceptional impact on the team’s success.
“Our Women’s Basketball team has truly set a new standard for varsity sports at our College, and for Breanna to become the first Lambton athlete honoured with this award is an exceptional accomplishment,” he said. “This award celebrates the highest level of athletic performance and truly exemplifies what it means to be a Lambton Lion – I can’t think of anybody more deserving.”