Lady Islander’s Semalulu off to Buffalo

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

John Abbott College student and AAA basketball player for the Lady Islanders Teresa Semalulu has a few busy months ahead of her: not only will she be graduating from the CEGEP’s science program in May, but she will also be moving to New York state in June to attend the University of Buffalo and play for the school’s Division 1 team, the Bulls. “I’m really excited. I think it’s a good place for me,” said Semalulu, who is originally from the Hull region and came to Ste. Anne de Bellevue’s John Abbott College specifically to play in the AAA division. She recently signed a four year full ride scholarship with the University of Buffalo starting in August 2008. “The team is a fast-break team, and that’s my style of play.”

Semalulu, a guard with the AAA Lady Islanders, placed fifth in her league’s scoring stats for 2007-2008, averaging 14.9 per game and was number one in total rebounds averaging 10.2. She was rookie of the year in 2005-2006 and was then named Most Improved Player for the Lady Islanders in 2006-2007. “Teresa’s a highly motivated player and she’s highly competitive. I think, to play at Division 1, you have to be,” said Coach Harley Lawrence. “She works extremely hard and I think she’s going to do extremely well at the University of Buffalo.”

In a University of Buffalo Bulls press release, head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald said: “There are few defenders who will be able to stop Teresa when (she) is driving to the basket. As fast as she is on offence, she also possesses lateral quickness and demonstrates an incredible passion at the defensive end. Her ability to pressure the ball and play the passing lanes will allow us to make some additional defensive adjustments next season.”

While she is looking forward to playing with a Division 1 team, leaving Montreal and her John Abbott teammates is somewhat bittersweet. “It’s been a great experience. I actually really like it here,” Semalulu said of the past three years. “I learnt a lot and was able to develop my skills.”

While she will be leaving the campus, Lawrence said he and the John Abbott team will keep an eye on Semalulu’s career. “We always try to keep in touch with former players,” Lawrence said. “I’ve told her before, now is where the real work starts.”

Semalulu, who will be studying exercise science at Buffalo, said she is prepared for the challenge. “I’m anxious to play at such a high level and to see what kinds of challenges are to come,” she said. “I think I’m ready for it.”