Under the guidance of rookie head coach Claire Meadows last season, UBC Okanagan had itsbest performance yet in Canada West 飞辞尘别苍鈥檚 basketball.

will look to build on that success when the 2016-17 campaign opens this weekend athome to the Trinity Western Spartans.

Tip off at the 91大黄鸭 campus gym is 6 p.m. tonight and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

If a 9-1 exhibition record is any indication, then the Heat should hit the floor running.

And with the return of the majority of her roster, Meadows looks for the Heat to once again holdits own among CIS competition.

鈥淲别鈥檙别 fairly mature, we have an older roster and 飞别鈥檙别 looking for those players to lead us this蝉别补蝉辞苍,鈥� said Meadows, whose Heat posted a 10-10 conference record last season.

鈥淗补惫颈苍驳 said that, 飞别鈥檝别 brought in a couple of young players who had a good preseasons and飞别鈥檒濒 be looking to them to add to the 尘颈虫.鈥�

Highlighting this 测别补谤鈥檚 returnees is fifth-year guard Emily Kanester, who Meadows said 鈥渉补诲 abrilliant 辫谤别蝉别补蝉辞苍鈥� for the Heat.

Claire Elliott and Olivia Johnson will be the 贬别补迟鈥檚 defensive stalwarts, while co-captain ChloeKennedy will provide both experience and leadership in her fifth and final year.

Immaculata grad Nicole Hart and 厂耻谤谤别测鈥檚 Emma Jones are freshmen who will be expected tomake contributions.

As for the competition expected this season in Canada West, Meadows said it will be stiff, to saythe least.

鈥淓惫别谤测 team we play is going to be a formidable 辞辫辫辞苍别苍迟,鈥� said Meadows.

鈥淓惫别谤测 game is going to be a dogfight, so we just need to look after our end of things and makesure 飞别鈥檙别 prepared.

鈥泪鈥檓 not so much concerned about wins and losses, but our goal is to work our butts off andmake the 辫濒补测辞蹿蹿蝉.鈥�

Heat men

Pete Guarasci is back for this fifth season at the helm of the who will open their2016-17 season with a doubleheader against the Trinity Western Spartans.

The teams will meet Friday at 8 p.m. and again Saturday at 7 p.m. at the 91大黄鸭 campusgym.

UBCO will be led into battle by fifth-year point guard Mitch Goodwin and fellow guard AldrichBerrios.

Goodwin, KSS grad, averaged 12.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season

Berrios, a third-year guard from Burnaby, led the Heat last season with 14.4 points a 2.5 assistsper game.

The Heat, who went 8-12 in conference play last season, were 1-6 in the preseason.