Hamilton’s Kia Nurse leads Canada to gold

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She’s an inspiration to athletes across Canada. Hamilton’s Kia Nurse played a key role in Canada’s first-ever Pan Am gold medal in women’s basketball, defeating the United States 81-73.

Canada out-rebounded the U.S. and forced the Americans into making 18 turnovers. Nurse was dominant, scoring 33 points and grabbing five rebounds. The team was on hand to unveil their new hardware this morning at Canada House in Toronto.

The victory has sent a buzz of excitement through the McMaster basketball camp. CHCH News spoke with counsellor Danielle Voiago, who is also a McMaster Maurader basketball player. “I played with Kia for three years when I was in high school at St Thomas More. Honestly, words can’t describe how well of a player she is. She’s fabulous. She can hit the three, she can finish at the rim, she’s a workhorse. I’m so proud of her.”

Participant Kate Ross: “when they all started scoring, when they went on a huge lead it was really cool to watch them because I want to be in that position one day to play gold for Canada.”

Camper Ella Vanturennot: “I was at Maple Leaf Gardens to watch them play. I thought it was amazing, it was the best experience I ever had, because I got to see Kia Nurse do an amazing job. Everyone there did amazing and I was cheering and I feel like I almost lost my voice.”

Jordan Denkers: “I think a gold win is definitely an inspiration. It tells you no matter what your foundation is, or genetics or anything like that, it is your work and your work ethic that will get you wherever you want to go.”

The win salvaged the country’s gold medal streak. The Canadians were in danger of finishing a day’s competition without a gold for the first time at the games.

Photo courtesy Kia Nurse / Twitter