Beverly Omere and Hope Manglal-Lan, two rookies of the Humber women’s basketball team this season, are trying to adapt to the pace of college-level ball.
Just a few months ago they were living a life of distinction as high school stars, but it’s now a new beginning where they have to prove themselves again.
This is something to get used to, said Omere, a skilled small forward recruited from St. John Henry Newman in Toronto.
“I was one of the best scorers, and now I don’t even touch the ball sometimes. But it’s understandable,” she said.
“I have to compete against grown women, older and stronger. I’m like a baby,” she said.
Omere acknowledged how difficult it is to adapt to a new locker room setting.
“They have been together for years and getting to know them and being closer is a little bit challenging, but now I’m getting to them more,” she said. “But they have been very supportive and patient.”
Manglal-Lan, an explosive point guard from Sacred Heart High School in Ottawa, is in a similar situation in assuming the new reality.
“I was the captain of my team, a leader, a top scorer. It’s challenging,” she said.
“You have to learn to play off the ball,” Manglal-Lan said. “And it’s not just being a scorer but passing the ball. I’m getting adjusted to be more of a facilitator.”
They know it’s going to take a little bit to get used to, but the help of the coaches and trainers has made the transition easier.
Ceejay Nofuente, one of the assistant coaches and Humber basketball alumna, knows what it’s like to be the newcomer and understands the complexity of the process.
But she encourages the newbies to take everything as a learning opportunity.
“You have to make a step back. You are putting yourself out in the fire and saying put the fire away,” said Nofuente, who played professional basketball in Europe, represented Canada and was one of Humber’s top female athletes.
However, accepting a change in one’s mindset is just one of many different steps Nofuente goes through in the process of adapting.
“There is more physicality and the pace is faster,” she said. “The expectations are higher, they have morning practices, evening practices, workouts, they need to make time for classes and practices, for watching film, because they need to understand the game and how the system works.”
Getting into game action will be where the real test begins but both are prepared for all the ups, downs and growth in college ball.
“I feel this is going to (make) me better,” Omere said. “I’m a rookie, but I know in a couple of years I can look back and say I was in that position, but look at me now.”
For Manglal-Lan her goal is to make a name for herself.
“I don’t want to be just a rookie,” she said. “I want to be someone the team can rely on, earning that respect.”
This team is in Quebec at the annual Dawson Classic tournament this weekend. In about two weeks, the duo will be part of Humber’s campaign to defend its title as OCAA champions against the Niagara Knights in the opening season game on Oct. 25 on home court.