Jesseca Brown has rewritten the OCAA record books. It was a year ago that Redeemer’s Curtiss Straatsma broke the all-time career points record in OCAA Women’s Volleyball. It was an incredible feat for a Redeemer athlete and a first for the institution. Now, one year later, Redeemer’s Jesseca Brown has set the same standard in OCAA Women’s Basketball. With her 1,207th career point, scored on Saturday against the St. Clair Saints, Brown became the OCAA’s all-time career leader in points.
The historic milestone now means that Redeemer holds the career points record in two of the major women’s OCAA varsity sports.
Brown began her career as a Royal in 2012, putting up 310 total points en route to being named the OCAA Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. She followed up her rookie season with 275 points over the next two years before being named the OCAA West Scoring Champion in 2016 with 362 total points. This year she has scored 264 points and has 6 games remaining on the league schedule.
When Jesseca arrived at Redeemer, the Royals were riding an enormous losing streak, having not won an OCAA league game in their past 87 attempts. In just her second game ever as a Royal, Brown put up a game-high 29 points in a win against the Sault Cougars, Redeemer’s first in over 7 years. Brown was named OCAA Player of the Week. The Royals followed up that performance with a 1-point win over powerhouse Sheridan College and finished the season with a program record 6 wins.
Since that first season, with the exception of the 2014-2015 season, Jess has lead the Lady Royals to 6 or more wins each year. With 6 games remaining on the 2016-2017 schedule, Redeemer has already totaled 6 wins. They currently occupy a playoff spot, with sights set on the first potential playoff basketball game for the women’s program in team history.
“When I first got to Redeemer, I had no idea that I would be where I am now.”
When asked about the record, Jess reflected on her journey from day one. “When I first got to Redeemer,” commented Brown, “I had no idea that I would be where I am now, especially breaking an OCAA record. It makes me happy that I can contribute to my team. I wouldn’t be in this point in my career if it weren’t for my team, coaches and everyone who has supported me at Redeemer. I’d like to say thank you to everyone for helping me get to where I am now.”
Head Coach Rob Hooper recruited Brown for New Brunswick, knowing that she was a very special player. “She came to Redeemer as a kid from a small island off the coast of New Brunswick,” said Hooper. “She quickly became a great player, one of the best the league has seen. She helped shape the program and other players wanted to come and play at Redeemer because of her. She truly is a game changer on the court most night’s and has been a program changer for Redeemer.”
Now the attention for the Royals will turn heavily to the remaining games on the schedule. Looking to make the playoffs for the first time in program history, the Royals will continue to rely on Brown, as she plays out the final games of her career and her final chance at a coveted OCAA Championship berth.
For more information, please contact Peter Reid at preid@redeemer.ca.