By Dan Plouffe
It’s a do-or-die scenario for Courtnay Pilypaitis and the Canadian women’s basketball team at the last chance Olympic qualifier June 25-July 1 in Turkey, but the 24-year-old St. Peter Catholic High School grad doesn’t feel at all nervous about the situation.
“We have a really good draw and we feel confident in what we can do,” notes Pilypaitis, whose team will face France and Mali in the first stage of group play as they seek one of five berths available to the 12 participating nations. “We obviously want to get one of those five spots. We just want to get there and prove what we can do.”
A former record-setting guard with the NCAA’s University of Vermont Catamounts, Pilypaitis has recently been playing professionally in Lithuania, where her family has roots.
“It’s a lot more of a business there. It is your job,” explains Pilypaitis, who shudders when she sees photos of herself on a motorcycle in promotional materials for her team’s sponsor. “But I still have fun, and I’m doing what I love.”
Pilypaitis had a month off at the end of winter but has been back at the national team’s home in B.C. since the end of April. Ranked 11th in the world, the Canadians fully intend to be one of the 12 teams in London come late July.
“It’s going to be a very exciting summer,” Pilypaitis adds. “I think everyone on our team is really excited and everyone is working very hard for it.
“So many people don’t get to live out their dreams. And if we get to qualify for the Olympics, it’s a great honour and we have a good chance.”