Manny Dosanjh was born in Brampton, Ontario. Dosanjh is one of many freshman on this year’s men’s basketball team as they return with only one starter. Because of his impressive performance on the court Dosanjh has received the Varsity Coaches Award, Southwest MVP and holds the record for most assist in his high school’s history. He has also succeeded in the classroom earning the Academic Award of Excellence.
Though he’s performed expectionally in Canda, Dosanjh says the game of basketball is a little different here.
“The American level has always been a step ahead of us and that’s why I wanted to come over here because I wanted to play with the best competition I could get,” says Dosanjh. “So, when I got the opportunity to play basketball at Delta College, it was the best fit for me to take my game to the next level.”
Dosanjh is the captain of the basketball team this year and also the chair for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
“My role this year is to come in and be a leader on and off the floor. We have a young team so my job is to lead these guys and make sure we’re prepared to take on some of the better competition in our conference,” he explains.
Dosanjh has wanted to play college basketball since he was a freshman in high school and saw Delta as a great opportunity to do so.
“Coming out of high school I wanted to go somewhere I best fit in and could be a leader while contributing to the team right away,” said Dosanjh. “The combination of great athletics and school, but also being close to home. It was the best decision to attend Delta and I feel like I fit right in.”
His hope is to continue playing basketball after Delta. I’m headed I’m kind of undecided. Just lots of hard work, dedication and commitment,” says Dosanjh. “Taking it day by day and focusing on one play at a time and seeing where it will take me from there.”
Dosanjh is studying business management, but is undecided on what he would like to do after obtaining his bachelor’s degree.
Though the team is very young this year, Dosanjh has high hopes.
“We’re actually looking pretty solid. We’ve come together really well as a team, but we have a long way to go and a lot of things to work on,” says Dosanjh. “I’m looking forward to a great season, with lots of hard work and commitment we’ll have a good run this year.”
By Justin Jurek.
Jayde Abenth is a graduate of Heritage High School, where she was a four year varsity basketball player and a two time all-state honorable mention. She’s also one of two returning sophomores on this year’s basketball team. Last season she led the team in blocks, was second in field goal percentage and third in points per game.
According to Abenth, she’s ready to step up and be a real leader in her sophomore season.
“Last year I kinda just did what the sophomores told me to do,” explains Abenth, “Now that I’m one of the leaders I’ve really tried to be a good influence on these girls by helping them with whatever they need on or off the court.”
Abenth is also very excited to see the results of the practices leading up to the season.
“I think the team dynamic is better this year. We’ve done a really good job of coming together as a team and really practicing hard and helping one another improve.”
Better team chemistry is just one of the goals the team has set up for themselves. Abenth explains that what happens in the classroom is just as important as the results on the court.
“We want to have one of the highest GPAs in athletics here,” says Abenth, “and right now we’re not quite there, but we’re working on it and our progress reports are getting better and better every week.”
On the court the team has similar lofty goals that Abenth believes her team is on the cusp of achieving success.
“We want to be undefeated obviously and win regionals,” says Abenth. “All the work we’re putting in is to achieve that goal.”
More than anything, Abenth is ready to get started.
“I’m so happy we’re finally starting to play games and see things come together,” she says with a smile. “Now we can see everything come together; it’s a lot better.”
By Ethan Moore.
