GEORGE BROWN GAINS FORMER CAMBRIAN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MVP

It's a long way from Moose Factory to Toronto - even with a small detour in Sudbury.

But that's the direction Faye Tomatuk took to get to George Brown College.

And when she signed up as a fulltime student, then showed up for a basketball tryout even with a slight ankle injury, George Brown head coach Sharon Butler thought Christmas had come early for her and the Huskies.

"So happy to have her on our team," said Butler, who has holes to fill on the Huskies roster after three starters graduated. "If things go well, we'll have her for several years."

The 5-foot-9 Tomatuk was the basketball MVP at Cambrian College last year, but chose to attend George Brown this year. Maybe she liked Toronto, the George Brown academics or the Huskies bronze medal success at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association playoff last year.

It may have been the College's popular Fitness and Lifestyle Management Program that attracted Tomatuk. But, a slight problem occurred when College officials said enrolment was capped. Tomatuk had to ponder her next move.

She chose the General Arts route and plans to switch over next year.

"I've been to Toronto a few times, just love the city," said Tomatuk, who is a Native Canadian of Cree origin. "Things will work out for me on the academic side and I'm really excited to play basketball and know I can do a lot for this team."

Tomatuk, who averaged about 15 points a game last year, prefers the shooting guard position. She learned to play basketball in elementary school after making a weekly visit, with friends, to the YMCA. She had suffered an ankle sprain recently after she had slipped on a pothole while running in Sudbury. She figures to be fine by the time the OCAA season starts.

"When I watched her play, her skill level - she can do everything," praised Butler. "She was huge to her team last year - shooting and defence - but I also like her as a team leader. She's confident and has it all on the court too."

George Brown's women's basketball team open the OCAA season on Nov. 2 hosting Centennial College at the St. James Campus.

Source: George Brown