Canadian Basketball is Here to Stay: Fort Erie & Crestwood Rewrite the Script
The women’s high school basketball world was buzzing as 2024 came to an end with all eyes on Canada. Within just 24 hours, two powerhouse Canadian programs delivered statement wins that sent shockwaves across the landscape in North America. Fort Erie International Academy, a rising giant, stunned the basketball community with a monumental victory over top-ranked Montverde Academy. Before the dust could even settle, Crestwood Prep stepped onto the stage and dismantled the #4-ranked Westtown School. The message is loud and clear: Canada’s basketball revolution isn’t a fad—it’s a force.
For years, Canada has quietly been building a reputation as a breeding ground for elite talent, but the victories over two of the most prestigious programs in the U.S. have turned whispers into roars. The success of Fort Erie and Crestwood goes beyond the wins; it’s a declaration that the girls’ game in Canada is rewriting the script. No longer do American college coaches need to look at Canadian talent with a fine-toothed comb. The proof is on the scoreboard.
“The win against the 4th-ranked team means a lot to me and the kids because we’re a very new and young team. Playing against another young and extremely talented team like Westtown was a huge confidence booster for the kids. Our focus during this trip was to make ‘new mistakes’ and grow from quarter to quarter, and I thought we achieved that yesterday from start to finish.”
— Marlo Davis, Head Coach of Crestwood’s Girls Prep Basketball Team
The game of basketball in Canada has evolved and has taken strides, due to the constant development which is a byproduct of our dedication and hard work.
I believe our kids are no longer afraid to compete against the best. Through consistent development and preparation, they are ready for the big stage
At FEIA, we take immense pride in our national schedule, which consistently places us against top-tier competition. This year, we’ve had the privilege of being invited to elite tournaments, creating opportunities for our student-athletes to showcase their talents. With 12 games scheduled against teams ranked in ESPN’s Top 25, we’re ensuring our players are seen and challenged at the highest level.
Our program’s success is built on the foundation laid by our alumni, who have paved the way for this special group, a roster of seasoned seniors with promising young talent. When we faced the #1 ESPN team, Montverde, our message was clear: make everyone remember who we are and ensure our opponents leave the court respecting us, regardless of the outcome.
The win against Montverde was one of the most historical victories in Canadian women’s basketball history. While it felt great in the moment, it is not the championship. Our goal remains the same: to experience that same joy of victory holding the WNPA and Grind Session trophy at the end of March.
— Handel Kipp, Head Coach of Fort Erie’s Girls Prep Basketball Team
The WNPA: A League of Its Own
Both Fort Erie and Crestwood are part of the National Preparatory Association (NPA), a league dedicated to showcasing and developing top-tier talent. For years, the NPA has been grinding behind the scenes, preparing athletes to compete at the highest level. These wins against two of the most respected programs in the U.S. serve as validation of the league’s efforts. The NPA isn’t just keeping pace—it’s leading the charge.
The Players Leading the Charge
Canadian athletes are no longer content to be side notes in the basketball narrative—they’re becoming the story. These young women are demonstrating skill, grit, and basketball IQ on par with, if not better than, their American counterparts. They’re proving that Canada’s talent pool runs deep, with players capable of excelling in any environment. They’re showing that dreams of Division 1 scholarships, WNBA aspirations, and professional careers are no longer a distant dream for Canadian athletes—they’re an expectation.
Rewriting the Narrative
For decades, Canadian basketball talent has been overshadowed by the U.S., often overlooked or underestimated. But this new wave of athletes is rewriting that narrative, flipping the script in a way that demands attention. These victories signify something much larger than individual games—they symbolize the rise of a system that develops players who can dominate on any stage.
What’s Next for Canada?
This isn’t just a moment—it’s the start of a movement. Fort Erie and Crestwood’s wins are reminders to college recruiters: you no longer need to cross the border with skepticism. The talent is here. The coaching is here. The infrastructure is here. Canada is no longer just the neighbor with potential; it’s a basketball powerhouse in its own right.
The basketball world better take note. Canada’s rise is not just a headline—it’s a reality. With players rewriting the narrative one game at a time, the future of the sport has never looked brighter north of the border.
