Strait to Storm

BELLARINE Storm has dipped into the Big V scoring pool to sign sharpshooter Lauren Strait to its Championship women’s side for 2024.

Strait arrives to the Storm following an impressive 2023 campaign with Craigieburn, finishing third overall for the season in scoring with 19.39 points per game at 43 per cent efficiency, and sixth in rebounding with 10.1 boards per game in Big V Division 1.

Bellarine Championship Women’s coach Tim Sanderson said signing the Cedar Rapid, Iowa product comes with a plethora of upsides.

“Courtney is an exceptional two way player who can score on multiple levels, play makes well for teammates, contributes on the boards and is a solid defender,” Sanderson said.

“Courtney dominated Division 1 last season, and having played against her we found her to be an incredibly tough cover that we believed would be a great add to our team for the upcoming season.

“Courtney is a fantastic person that I’m sure is going to have a great impact on our club and not just our women’s team.”

Strait boasts an abundance of international experience, having played in Germany, Ireland, Croatia, and England, following her collegiate career playing for NCAA Division 2’s Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri between 2012 and 2016.

Strait also joins the women’s program which makes its jump into the Championship division in 2024 for the first time alongside their male counterparts, following a runner-up finish in Division 1 in 2023.

The Storm also announced long-time local coach Glen Wolfenden as the club’s assistant coach for the Championship Women.

Wolfenden has coached at several different levels in his time in basketball, including Country Vic, and will join Sanderson on the sidelines.