VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women's basketball team is bolstering its roster with the addition of three exceptional local talents for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Carrie Watts continues to build on a foundation of homegrown athletes, welcoming high school standouts and Vikes Nation youth program alumni Avery Geddes (St. Michaels University School), Eden Henderson (Oak Bay High School), and Iva Kalabric (Claremont Secondary School) to the team.
 
"Anytime you can get the best athletes from the island, that's a good thing and we've been increasing that number each year. Local players draw local interest as people want to come out and see their development and that's really exciting for the future of our program," said Watts.

A standout guard from St. Michael's University School, Geddes has been a driving force behind the Blue Jags' success over the years. She led them to the 2024 Triple-A BC Senior Girls' Championship finals, earning First-Team All-Star honours for her standout performances throughout the tournament.

Beyond her high school accomplishments, Geddes has showcased her talent on the national stage as a three-time B.C. provincial team member, where her leadership has been a key asset. While her last name might not ring a bell, Geddes is the daughter of Vikes basketball legend Lindsay Brooke. A two-time national championship MVP and recipient of the Sylvia Sweeney Award for Outstanding Student-Athlete, Brooke led the Vikes to two national titles and now serves as the head coach of the SMUS Blue Jags.

"Avery has a real passion for the game, loves working hard, wants to win, and wants to leave her mark on the program. As an athlete, she's got great vision, she's gritty defensively, and she brings leadership to the perimeter," continued Watts.

Henderson, a talented guard from Oak Bay High School, is a dynamic offensive force with a scorer's mentality. Standing at 5'10", she has consistently been a top performer for the Bays, playing a key role in their success. At the 2023 BC Junior Girls Basketball Championships, Henderson shone as she led her team to the finals against powerhouse Brookswood, earning First Team All-Star honours for her impressive play.

In addition to representing Vikes Nation and VK Basketball clubs, Henderson has established herself as one of the province's premier prospects. Her impact extends beyond the court—she was nominated for the Oak Bay Young Exceptional Star Award, a recognition of her excellence in both athletics and community service.

When speaking about Henderson, Watts compared her to Vikes alumna and former Canada West scoring leader Ashlyn Day. "Eden is a natural scorer. She's can shoot, she's really creative offensively, she's a great passer, and she has a real ability to just put the ball in the hoop."

A 6'0 forward, Kalabric is a versatile and physical inside presence with great rebounding awareness. The Claremont Secondary School product who is known for her on court leadership is coached by Vikes alumni Marissa Dheensaw and Calli McMillan. Named a Vancouver Island First-Team All-Star, Kalabric helped her team earn a spot at the 2024 Quad-A B.C. high school championship.

"Iva brings some much-needed size to the team. She has good hands around the rim, she's calm and composed on the court and I think there is a lot of upside there, just to continue to bring that presence inside," concluded Watts.

The Vikes sit in fourth place in the Canada West Pacific Division with a record of 5-5 in the regular season. The team travels to Prince George and Kamloops, B.C. for a split weekend at the University of Northern British Columbia (Jan. 16) and Thompson Rivers University (Jan. 18). Catch the games on Canada West TV presented by BioSteel.