Sophia Morton, a distinguished athlete from Burnaby Central Secondary, has made the decision to elevate her basketball skills by committing to play for Simon Fraser University (SFU). Morton, who will graduate from Burnaby Central, has chosen to join the SFU women’s basketball team for the upcoming season after displaying exceptional leadership as the captain of the Wildcats senior girls’ squad.
In a press release from the Red Leafs, Morton conveyed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to represent her hometown university. She expressed her sentimental attachment to SFU, as she has dedicated numerous hours to training on campus during her time with the Burnaby Mountain Mantas swimming team.
Morton’s commitment and passion for basketball have been evident in her on-court accomplishments, including winning a gold medal at the grade 8 girls’ basketball provincial championships in 2020 and securing a bronze medal during the AAAA senior girls’ basketball championships in 2023. Notably, the latter victory marked Burnaby Central’s first medal in the girls’ AAAA division since 1948.
Head coach of SFU women’s basketball, Bruce Langford, has expressed his excitement for Morton’s addition to the team, highlighting her exceptional talent, strong work ethic, and admirable character. Her presence is anticipated to make a significant impact on the Red Leafs’ roster.
Moreover, Morton is not the only player from the Burnaby Central Wildcats senior girls’ basketball team making strides towards higher competition. Joining her in transitioning to university basketball are Jayla Huynh, who will be playing for the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in the PACWEST conference of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Ankita Chopra, set to lend her skills to the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades in Canada West and U SPORTS, and Vobia Salome, who has committed to the Queens University Gaels in Kingston, Ontario, also part of U SPORTS.
The future looks promising for these talented athletes as they embark on the next chapter of their basketball careers, each bringing a unique set of skills and experiences to their respective university teams.
In conclusion, the success of Sophia Morton and her fellow teammates from Burnaby Central serves as a testament to the thriving sports community in the region. Their achievements and transitions to university-level competition reflect the promising talent emerging from Burnaby’s high school basketball programs.
It is undeniably an exciting time for the young athletes as they prepare to make their mark at the collegiate level, and their hometown community eagerly anticipates their future accomplishments in the world of university basketball.
– Information compiled with assistance from Kyle Balzer, Burnaby NOW.