Laval’s 2014 Recruiting Class Shaping Up As Tops In CIS

The University of Laval Rouge et Or (Re and Gold) in Quebec have made some noise recently, signing five of the bigger available names in not only Quebec, but the country Canada to begin play with them this Fall.

In what is the front-runner for the CIS’ best signing Class for 2014, Laval has landed themselves Sarah-Jane Marois (5’8″, PG, Ste-Foye), Jane Gagne (6’0″, W, Ste-Foye), Maripier Courchesne (6’4″, P, Montmorency), Claudia Emond (5’8″, G, Ste-Foye) and Naomi Lavallee (5’9″, W, Ste-Foye), a list that includes three top 50 players in the Class.

On the top of their list of signees is Sarah-Jane Marois who is a very accomplished Point Guard. Marois surprised many by passing on an NCAA shortlist that included Harvard and Northeastern in order to settle on staying close to home and playing for the ‘Rouge et Or’. Marois is the top Point Guard in the Class of 2014 to stay in Canada. She has a super high basketball IQ with the ability to be a great play maker for her teammates, or that can take over a game when ready by getting to the hole at will, shooting the three very consistently and locking things down on defence. All skills that that have earned her multiple opportunities to represent her country on Canadian Junior National Women’s Teams.

Laval’s other two Top-50 signings include Wing, Jane Gagne, and Post, Maripier Courchesne.

In the Top-30 ability of Gagne, Laval secures consistent perimeter shooting that has good length and and some ability to put the ball on the floor. They also benefit from the familiarity factor that comes with Gange and Marois having played CÉGEP together at Ste Foye, where they won a National Championship back in 2012.

In Courshesne the ‘Rouge et Or’ get a solidly built 6’4″ Post that is extremely strong and possess a good back to the basket game and skill. If Courshesne decides to inject additional passion in her training and game play, her potential is through the roof.

Rounding out the five new Laval ballers is lefty Claudia Emond who is a continual threat from the 3-point line and Naomi Lavallee, also a perimeter player.

Laval was 6-10 last year in the CIS’ RSEQ standings, and obviously have their sights set squarely on McGill, last season’s First place finishers.