The Lancer basketball program opens up the 2016-17 season this weekend with a road trip up North.
 
Windsor kicks off the season against the Nipissing Lakers on Friday night, followed by an evening contest against the Laurentian Voyageurs on Saturday. The women tip-off at 6:00pm both nights, while the men follow at 8:00pm. All four games can be seen live at www.oua.tv.
 
The reigning OUA bronze medalist Windsor Lancers women's basketball team will have all eyes on them for the 2016-17 season as they look to reclaim gold. The Lancers enter the season having won six of the last eight OUA championships and have shown great promise throughout the pre-season as they return 95% of their roster from a year ago.
 
OUA all-stars Emily Prevost, Cheyanne Roger, and Kaylee Anagnostopoulos all return for another year on the hardwood, and will be joined by starting senior guards Caitlyn Longmuir and Carly Steer. Vallée will have an ample supply of options off the bench as well with the return of guards Tyra Blizzard, Erica McFadden, and Jahnae Gyles, just to name a few.
 
"I am very excited about this season," said Vallée. "We have built another team that has all the characteristics to win a championship."
 
Coach Vallée's squad also features plenty of fresh faces as they welcome five new athletes to the roster. Highlighting the group are transfer forward and Michigan native Logan Sims, and Hamilton native Kayah Clarke.
 
On the men's side, Windsor will have a familiar face back behind the bench to start the year as head coach Chris Oliver returns to the helm after taking a sabbatical for the 2015-16 season.
 
The Blue & Gold are coming off a strong 2015-16 season that saw them capture their seventh OUA west division title in ten years and make their fourth consecutive appearance at the OUA Final Four. Windsor is aiming to stay atop the division standings and earn a berth to the national championships.
 
Coach Oliver's squad will be led by the duo of guard Mike Rocca and forward Tyler Persaud. Rocca and Persaud both played key roles in the Lancers' success last year, and Coach Oliver will look to them for guidance and leadership with his young squad.  The Lancer line-up will also feature a number of talented incoming recruits including local standout Anthony Zrvanar, Guelph's Lukas Wood, and transfer Micqueel Martin from ASA College.
 
Oliver is optimistic on the season and is eager to get going. "We are excited for the challenges of the season and expect to compete for an opportunity to play into March," he said.
 
Home opener for the Lancers is schedule for Wednesday, November 16th against the Guelph Gryphons. The women will tip-off at 6:00pm, followed by the men at 8:00pm. Both games can be seen live on oua.tv.
 
Season tickets for the Lancers are also still available and can be purchased at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.