It didn’t take long at all to learn the next home court of Abby Zawada’s basketball career.
A day after playing her final game at McMath Secondary, it was revealed the Grade 12 sharp-shooting guard is heading to the University of the Fraser Valley next season where she will be re-united with her sister Jessica. The Cascades made the signing of Zawada and Yale’s Madison Draayers official last Thursday.
“Abby can really shoot the ball – that’s the first thing that kind of stands out about her game,” said Cascades head coach Al Tuchscherer. “And over the last couple summers, she’s added a few things. She’s can put the ball on the floor and attack, and she’s a better ball-handler. She’s really turned herself into a multi-dimensional scorer.
“She’s been part of a young McMath team this year, so she’s had to score a lot and she’s had a lot of defensive attention thrown her way. She’s learned to persevere and excel in those circumstances.”
She has been on the Abbotsford school’s radar screen since the Zawada sisters helped McMath finish second at the 2016 provincial “AAA” championships. Abby has not only had the opportunity to watch Jessica the past two seasons, but get to know the program as well. Despite heavy interest from the University of Calgary and other B.C. schools, it was a natural fit.
“One day I just woke up and I knew I was going to Fraser Valley,” smiled Zawada. “Although, it’s good to feel wanted, it just seemed right and I’m super excited about it. I have watched them play these last two years and I know it’s going to be good.”
Zawada will be living with her sister on campus and plans on enrolling in general studies next September.
She picked up her second straight city MVP last week as the Wildcats rolled to an unbeaten record.
Now they are the top seed at the Mainlands, looking to not only earn another trip back to the Langley Events Centre for next month’s provincials but capture the Crehan Cup as well.
McMath lost to Argyle in the 2017 final but avenged that loss with a dominating performance in the final of last month’s Bob Carkner Memorial Classic at Steveston-London. An equally-impressive win over pre-season No. 1 Abbotsford back in December showed what the Wildcats are capable of despite roster that is loaded with athletes who thrive in other sports as well.
“It’s actually gone really good and even better than I thought it would,” said Zawada who has averaged 21 points and seven rebounds per game. A lot of players have stepped up like Martha (Melaku) and Jayna (Wilson) who are both shooting the ball really well and Dakota (Chan) with her defence. We couldn’t do it without her.
“It has all worked out well and our goal now is to win the Lower Mainlands.”
McMath opened play Tuesday with a dominating 65-29 win over Burnaby Central. Zawada scored 22 points despite only playing the opening quarter. She went 6-of-7 from three-point range.
The Wildcats now face host Carson Graham Thursday in the semi-finals. The tourney concludes on Saturday night.
