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A pair of University of Regina Cougars will go down at the top of the school’s record books.
Both Jade Belmore and Cara Misskey are in their final year of U Sports eligibility and have written their names in the school’s women’s basketball history — Misskey is the all-time leader in assists while Belmore is the Cougars’ all-time leading scorer.
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Both can add to their totals, as the Canada West season still has a few weekends left of action.
Belmore, a former member of the Leboldus Golden Suns, says it means a lot to be able to play for the Cougars.
“I’ve had the most incredible experience in, I guess six years, but five years of eligibility. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people that I’ve gone along with,” she said.
“It’s been an incredible time. I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot since the start and it’s been a pivotal moment in a whole journey for me in my basketball and academic career.”
Misskey, who is from Warman, said she is grateful to have been a member of the Cougars the past five years.
“This last one has been so special to me and one of my favourites,” she said. “Just because these are my best friends and people who I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life. It means everything to me.”
Belmore broke the school record on Nov. 8 against the Lethbridge Pronghorns. The previous record of 1,439 was held by Cymone Bouchard.
“That was an incredible experience. Those things you don’t really think about in the moment until after people are celebrating you,” Belmore said.
“For me, I hope to break those records for other people to break them as well. That’s what they are there for. That’s a cool thing to achieve but I have bigger and better things to look forward too and want to keep going with my team of making those other goals for myself.”
Misskey has assisted on a lot of those baskets, breaking the previous record of 389, held by Jana Schweitzer.
“It’s a really cool milestone. Me and (interim head coach Michaela Kleisinger) had talked about it at the beginning of the year because she’s been on that list in her career,” Misskey said.
“I’m giving them the ball but they have to do the hard part and put it in. It’s pretty cool.”
Belmore said the two of them have been friends for a long time.
“I have a couple pictures of us playing club basketball when we were really young against each other. Looking back at that and seeing where we have grown and how we have grown, especially in these past five years, it’s incredible. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other person other than her,” Belmore said.
“She’s an incredible teammate, incredible person and has a very high basketball IQ so it makes it very easy to play basketball and show up. I want to put the ball in the hoop when she gives me the ball.”
Misskey said its been pretty cool to do this with Belmore.
“We’ve been not only playing for our whole career here but since we were 12 years old,” Misskey said.
“To do this journey together has been pretty special for the both of us and nothing I would take for granted.”
Despite losing their long-time head coach in the offseason, the Cougars have stepped up in the moment and carry a 15-1 record in Canada West action.
“I think our team culture and our enjoyment of each other, it makes you want to come back every day and show up for practice and try to get better,” Belmore said.
With the goal of reaching nationals still on the horizon, Belmore said she will look back on her accomplishments once it’s all done.
“Those moments hit you and you’re reminiscing on those times of what I have accomplished and what our team has accomplished. It hits you in waves and I feel like it will hit me for sure when I am done all of this and looking back at that and I’m trying to enjoy just the day-by-day process but appreciate those times I do have,” she said.
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