OCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP COMES TO HAMILTON

HAMILTON, Ont. - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is down to its final four in women's basketball, with all remaining teams headed to Mohawk College's Fennell Campus in Hamilton, Ont., for the 2026 OCAA Women's Basketball Championship.

The top three seeds from the West Division have survived two OCAA elimination rounds along with the league's lone undefeated team from the East Division.

The defending OCAA champions and host Mohawk Mountaineers — the West Division champions — will be joined by the Humber Hawks, Fanshawe Falcons and the East Division champion Loyalist Lancers.

The OCAA semi-finals take place on Saturday, leading into Sunday's medal matches. The OCAA champion moves on to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Basketball National Championship in Montreal, from Mar. 18-21.

The competition will feature a trio of All-Canadians in fifth-year guard Maddie Anderson (Whitby) of Mohawk, fourth-year player Grace Callahan (Corbyville) of Loyalist and second-year forward Ashlyn Anderson (Latchford) of Fanshawe.

All games will be streamed for free on OCAA LIVE.

Fanshawe Falcons, London (11-5, 3rd West) vs Mohawk Mountaineers, Hamilton (15-1, 1st West)
Saturday, Mar. 7 - 3:30 p.m.

The West Division champion Mohawk Mountaineers will take on the Fanshawe Falcons for a third time this season, with a berth to the OCAA gold medal game on the line.

The Mountaineers swept the two-game regular season series, both outcomes by double digits. Mohawk is coming off a 66-51 quarter-final victory over the Lambton Lions on Feb. 28, with fourth-year forward Kendra Oliver (Ajax) scoring 15 points and grabbing the same total in rebounds.

Maddie Anderson led the Mountaineers in scoring during the regular season averaging 17.0 points per game. Oliver led Mohawk in rebounding averaging 10.0 boards per game, achieving the regular season double-double by also averaging 11.5 points.

The Falcons road to the OCAA championship began at home on Feb. 21, soundly defeating the Centennial Colts 91-53. Fanshawe then hit the road one week later to take on the Seneca Sting, winning 67-52. Ashlyn Anderson combined for a team-high 31 points in the two victories.

Ashlyn Anderson was also the top scorer and rebounder for the Falcons during the regular season averaging 15.9 points and 13.4 boards per game, achieving the regular season double-double.

Mohawk is the defending OCAA champion, aiming for a repeat. Fanshawe last celebrated an OCAA title back in 2020.

Humber Hawks, Toronto (14-2, 2nd West) vs Loyalist Lancers, Belleville (14-0, 1st East)
Saturday, Mar. 7 - 5 p.m.

The East Division champion Loyalist Lancers have won 16 consecutive games against sanctioned OCAA competition, but the toughest test is yet to come when they take on two of the top three teams from the west. The Lancers are chasing history, having never won an OCAA medal.

Loyalist has thus far fared well against west competition with consecutive home playoff wins. The Lancers first defeated the Redeemer Royals 75-55 on Feb. 21, then handed the St. Clair Saints a 74-69 defeat last Sunday. Callahan scored a team-high 46 points over the two victories.

Callahan was the top scorer for the Lancers during the regular season, averaging 15.6 points per game. Second-year centre Kayley Lemaire (Sudbury) averaged 10.7 boards per game to lead Loyalist in rebounding.

The Humber Hawks currently have the second longest winning streak in the OCAA, winning 11 straight. The Hawks have rolled over a pair of East Division teams during the post-season, soundly defeating the Durham Lords 76-31 on Feb. 21 and then the Algonquin Wolves 77-56 one week later.

Fifth-year guard Sarah Baptie (Mississauga) was the top scorer for the Hawks in their two playoff wins, totalling 36 points. Baptie also led Humber in scoring during the regular season averaging 13.7 points per game. Third-year forward Eremwon Destiny (Venice, Italy) was Humber's top rebounder during the regular season averaging 6.1 boards per game.

The Hawks last won the OCAA championship in 2023. 

Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/championships/wbkb/2025-26/index

Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/live

Saturday, March 7
Semi-Finals
Semi-Final #1: Fanshawe vs. Mohawk - 3:30 p.m.
Semi-Final #2: Humber vs. Loyalist - 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 8
Bronze Medal Game
Loser Semi-Final #1 vs. Loser Semi-Final #2 - 1 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of game

Gold Medal Game
Winner Semi-Final #1 vs. Winner Semi-Final #2 - 3:30 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of game

- OCAA -

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For nearly 60 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com