McMaster Nets Two Fox Trotters for Next Season’s OUA Title Hunt

On January 15, 2013, Hamilton, Ontario’s McMaster Marauders announced the commitments of Jelena Mamic (5’8”, PG, St Francis) and Alexis Spadafora (5’9”, G, Westdale) to their program beginning in the Fall of 2013.

The Marauders landed the extremely talented Mamic of St Catharines, Ontario who felt at ease during her visit of the University that she felt it a place that not only allow her to excel on the court, but also in the classroom.

“My decision was based on how I felt in my own skin being at the university and when I came to visit and toured around, I felt great about it and knew that I would be happy there,” said Mamic. “Also, I heard all positive things about the academics and athletics at McMaster, and can’t wait to play with the team and be coached by such great and knowledgeable coaches.”

Mamic posses speed, good decision making ability and the knack of being able create well for others. She will also get under opponent’s skin on the defensive end as well, having shown time and time again that she has the endurance to maintain the footwork necessary to cause fits.

Mamic who will be playing with the Hamilton Fox Trotters in JUEL this rep season, will be bringing lots of rep team experience with her to the next level. Last Spring, we previewed her and members of her St Catharines’ Rebels team, who ended up winning an Ontario Cup, Division 1 Bronze Medal under Head Coach Dave Picton, to go along with her experiences North and South of the border.

Not to be outdone at the high school level, she will be ending her high school career well decorated in more than one sport. For basketball in 2011 she earned a Ontario High School Championship (OFSAA) 2A Bronze and this past Fall, a 2012 OFSAA 2A Gold. She is also a high-level soccer player, winning OFSAA 2012 2A Gold in that discipline as well.

Spadafora who will be staying close to home as already a Hamilton, Ontario resident, runs the floor well and can light it up from down beyond the 3-pt arc when she gets hot as witnessed in the Final of the 2012 Humber Classic high school tournament. There with her Westdale Warriors, she led all scorers en route to helping her team claim the tournament’s Championship. Spadafora will be re-united with former JUEL teammate and current Marauder Freshman, Danielle Boiago, whom she played with last season with Blessed Sacrament under Head Coach Willy Henschel. This JUEL rep season, she will be joining Mamic on the Fox Trotters.

“I wanted to stay local and be close to my friends and family. They have always supported me and will be able to attend my home games,” said Spadafora. “Going to McMaster just feels like a great fit for me. From a basketball, perspective it helps with the high school to university transition to be comfortable and happy with where you are.”

Marauder Head Coach, Theresa Burns, is looking forward to incorporating the strengths of these two into a line-up that will benefit from their ability to run the floor. After a solid 2012 recruitment Class, McMaster currently finds themselves Fourth in Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) Western standings. That 2012 recruitment Class was headlined by the previously mentioned standout, Danielle Boiago, who is now taking the league by storm as a Freshman by averaging 16.4 PPG, good enough to be tied for third right now in OUA.

“Our team speed and defensive ability elevates immediately with the addition of these two players,” said Coach Burns. “Jelena and Lexie both bring a passion for the game, a desire to learn and improve, and a high level of competitiveness.”