The Niagara College department of athletics & recreation is pleased to announce the addition of Courtney Banham to the women's basketball program. Banham attended Waterloo Collegiate Institute and competed as a member of Ontario Basketball Association's KW Lightning.

Niagara College women's basketball head coach Mike Becarria commented "Courtney projects as a talented shooting guard for us. She has good shooting mechanics, a great work ethic, and is exceptionally competitive. She will be a strong addition to our program."

The five-foot-eight Banham will bring the Knights experience and athleticism beginning in September of 2014. The Waterloo native added that her reason for electing to pursue a post-secondary education at Niagara College included "the team and the people. Everyone around the women's basketball program has been great, and the atmosphere and education just seemed right to me."

The Knights will graduate two key members of their 2013-14 back court in second-team OCAA all-star Tara Giallonardo and veteran Katie Beaucock. Looking to fill the void left by the departure of his experienced guards, the recruitment of Banham was a 'key focus' said Beccaria.

Banham will enroll in the Niagara College pre-health sciences program, but has the goal of graduating from multiple Niagara College programs in years to come. She continued "I want to succeed in my program right away, and transition that success into the college's Dental Hygiene program down the road."

The Knights enjoyed a strong season in 2013-14, finishing with a record of 11-7. Banham continued "on the court, my goal is to grow as a player and I feel like Coach Becarria can help me achieve that. I really want to help build on the team's success."