Pair of Falcons perched atop Canadian prep basketball association
May 28, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Two Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) athletes are soaring high following national recognition.
Amelia Sow and Éli Jolin were honoured by Fort Erie council at the May 25 meeting. The two basketball players won the women’s and men’s player of the year awards for the National Preparatory Association.
The awards are just the latest recognition for FEIA athletes, who have been turning heads as the academy has gained a reputation for its high quality basketball program.
Both athletes have their sights set on a future in professional basketball, with Sow hoping to get drafted into the WNBA and Jolin, who will be heading to Santa Clara University next year, hoping to make it into the NBA draft some day.
And while their skills are evident, Mayor Wayne Redekop said their character and personality are just as vital to their success.
“All of you who play sports know it’s not just about the individual, it’s about the team. And the players who focus on the team are those who typically succeed the most,” he said.
Sow will be entering Grade 12 in September. She averaged 22 points per game last year and is credited with having a high basketball IQ. She also won MVP for the Basketball Without Borders competition in El Salvador and is ranked among the top 30 prospects by ESPN.
Not one to settle, Sow is always looking to improve.
“I want to be in better shape than anybody else,” she said in a FEIA announcement about her player of the year award. “My shot needs more consistency and I want to develop my defence where I can cover every position.”
Amelia Sow was honoured by Fort Erie council after she was named player of the year for the Women’s National Preparatory Basketball Association. Sow is pictured here with Mayor Wayne Redekop, left, and Councillor Darren Flagg. Credit: Town of Fort ErieIn addition to getting into the WNBA, Sow also hopes to make Team Canada. But before that, she’s aiming to bring more success to the FEIA Falcons next year.
She credited coach Handel Kipp with creating a family atmosphere on the team.
“He preached teamwork, ‘we’ before ‘me’ and we stuck to it,” she said.
Jolin, meanwhile, is described as a versatile player. A 6’7 shooting guard, he was also named the most improved player in the Grind Session, a winter basketball circuit of elite high school basketball events, and was a first team all star for the National Preparatory Association and National Scholastic Basketball Association.
But like Sow, Redekop said Jolin brings more than just physical tools and skills.
“He has high character, which is his major upside,” Redekop said.
Coach Kemy Esse said Jolin is a perfect fit for the Falcons program.
“Eli sets a standard for this program and Eli encapsulates everything about FEIA’s culture,” he said.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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