Google Sidhu is a fourth-year guard on the WBB team at UFV. Throughout her career Sidhu has amassed game averages of 2.7 Points (PTS), 1.2 Assists (A), 1.6 Rebounds (REB), and 1.3 Steals (STL) in 66 Games Played (GP). At the time of writing, the Cascades are second in Canada West’s Pacific Division with a record of 13-5.
What was the most challenging part of adapting to U Sports basketball?
I scored a lot when I played in high school … the ball was always in my hands. [At] the university level, you gotta find your role. It was important to figure out what I could bring to the team [and] the program itself. So I started with what I [could] control, and I can control how hard I work … so I worked hard on defence. I came to practice with the mentality that I’m going to annoy anyone that I guard … [and] I grew my game from there.
Who has helped you the most throughout your basketball journey?
My passion developed from my sisters that played basketball … I would watch them play, [and] play with them in the driveway … and Mike Claggett … he coached me in Grade 10 and 11, and was super important in my basketball career. It was my goal to play for the UFV women’s basketball team … and he knew that, so he knew what I needed to do, and would always encourage me to just go out and hoop.
What’s the story behind the MacEwan game where you scored 15 points?
Coach Al [Tuchscherer] wasn’t there … he was sick, so it was Coach Dan [Nayebzadeh] and Matt [Chapdelaine], our strength and conditioning coach on the coaching staff. It was important to get that win … not just for us, but for Al. I know he was at home … probably stressing out … so individually and collectively it was [important] to get that win for him.
Do you judge your team’s success based off wins?
We try not basing our achievements off the win or loss. It’s more [about] how we play. If we are doing what we need to do offensively, working hard and being competitive … I think those things are more important than the win or loss. We’re resilient … this past weekend, we played MacEwan, and we weren’t thinking of the win or the loss, we were thinking of what we can do to be better.
What does your team do together following games?
It’s important to have each other’s back whether it’s a win or a loss. We reflect on the game together as a team and individually, and from there, I think it’s important to support one another. If you feel like someone is frustrated with their game, you have their back. You give them encouragement. And even after the game … you text your teammates and let them know that you’re there for them, and that you saw what went well for them … I’m always looking out for my teammates. [When] I see they’re frustrated, I’ll message them after the game, or pat them on the back, or show them support, because I know it’s hard if you feel like things aren’t going your way.
Who are the earliest and latest to arrive to practice?
Myself and Madison Storme are usually not late … but kind of late. Maddy Gobeil is always in there early getting shots up.
What’s been the most challenging part of this season?
We have had some success in the past few years, which is great to reflect on [but] it’s a tough challenge [as well]. Just because we had success in the past doesn’t mean that we’re guaranteed to be successful this year … and it took a while to understand that we need to put just as much, if not even more, work in this year to gain the results that we hope for.
Do you have any messages to UFV students or young athletes?
We have seniors night on Feb. 15. We play the Spartans, so I would encourage UFV students to come out and show support. Come watch us play. To the younger children, I would say the same thing … Just be involved [and] see what the next level looks like.
Q&A has been edited for length and readability.
