Local stand-out stays home to play

Local recruit Hanna Pudlas playing in highschool league game





Prince George, BC - Hannah Pudlas is the first women's basketball recruit to commit to UNBC for 2014-15 season and head coach Sergey Shchepotkin is excited to see the local interest in the Timberwolves program.

Hannah Pudlas is a grade 12 student at Cedars Christian in Prince George.The avid basketball player started her love of the sport back in grade six and hasn't stopped since. Participating in high, regionally, and with the Jr. Timberwolves program, Pudlas has continued to work on her basketball skills by playing and training with multiple teams. In grade eight conflicts the basketball schedule led her to play with the senior team (grade 11-12) at Cedars Christian School but she returned to the junior squad in grade nine.

"I wanted to develop more and that was really good for me" said Pudlas about her decision to return to the junior squad in for her grade nine year. After a year with the junior program the 5'9 guard moved back up to the senior team where she was named a first-team All-Star at the 'A' Provincials in 2012 and 2013. During these two year the Cedars Christian Eagles raked in back-to-back silver medals. To add to her accolades in her grade 12 year Pudlas was named the MVP for both the 2014 zones and the 2014 Provincials, during which the Eagles defeated Similkameen Secondary School for the bronze medal.

The provincials stand-out has had many good things to say about her decision to attend UNBC. Outside of high school Pudlas has played in the BC Summer Games, on regional teams, and most recently with the Jr. Timberwolves program coached by women's basketball assistant coach Kaz Ikuta. Even with all of these different experiences under her belt, Pudlas is still excited to play for head coach Shchepotkin learn from him. "Its cool because he is from Russia, so he will bring a different kind of feel and style of play than what I am use to" mentioned Pudlas about her future coach.

A multi-sport athlete Pudlas was also an accomplished volleyball player but chose to pursue basketball during her post-secondary education. A member of the Kodiaks club volleyball team for four years prepared Pudlas for her high school volleyball career where she was the MVP at the 2012 zones and a second-team All-Star at the 'A' Provincials in 2013.

Outside of sport Pudlas is an accomplished student, making the Principal's list - achieving 95% average in all classes - all five years of high school. When it comes to her studies at UNBC she is still, like most high school students, what she wants to pursue. Entering the sciences Pudlas plans on taking general science courses to see what piques her interest. Even without a master plan the idea of attending UNBC and staying close to home is a promising one. "I'm not entirely positive what I want as a career, but my brother has gone to school [at UNBC] and absolutely loves it!" A vote of confidence from her older brother has helped Pudlas decide that UNBC is the right fit for her.

Shchepotkin was also positive about Pudlas' commitment to UNBC. "She is a quick player, who will help the speed of our game. It is very positive to have local interest in our program, we are hoping to continue to develop girls basketball in Prince George so that we can continue to have future recruits like Hannah attend UNBC."

The end of the 2013-14 season saw four players gradate from the Timberwolves women's basketball program. Mercedes VanKoughnett, Jen Bruce, Emily Kaehn, and Chelsey Thorne have all used up their five years of eligibility playing in green and gold. Shchepotkin will look to fill the spots of the four graduating players. Local recruit Hannah Pudlas is the first to commit to the Timberwolves for the 2014-15 season, a player Shchepotkin hopes will work to compete for one of the open spots.

Contact Information

Jesse Olynyk
Sports Information Office
250-960-6009