Covid-19 and the global pandemic tested the patience of all those involved in sports, forcing thousands of athletes to the sidelines for months on end. Even after return to play protocols had been introduced, patience remained a virtue.

Post-secondary basketball talent Delaney Bourget knows this to be true, far more than most.

Graduating from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary in June of 2020, the daughter of Lo-Ellen Prep coach Jennifer Bourget had already announced her commitment to the McMaster Marauders, national champions in 2019.

"I think there were things that I was prepared for and things that I had to take my time adjusting to," said Delaney, now 23 years old and preparing to pursue her masters in Speech Language Pathology - and having completed her varsity basketball career.

"I knew that I was going to a great program which had won nationals two years earlier. That was part of the reason I wanted to go there; they were consistently a contender. I understood that things would not just unfold easily for me."

Despite the standard of excellence that had been established at Mac, Bourget found her way on the court in her first official season, averaging 14 minutes a game in 2021-2022 (with 2020-2021 falling victim to Covid).

Developing in a wonderful environment, Bourget honed her skills.

"I had a really good core senior group that I got to play under," she said. "I played with some great players, some great leaders."

Unfortunately, because of the one-year hiatus, much that group also stayed back an extra year, a group that included OUA MVP guard Sarah Gates, the all-time leading scorer in Marauders women's basketball history.

Three years into her studies in Hamilton, Bourget was still waiting patiently for a chance to start.

"It was great to have the veterans come back (from a team standpoint), but it definitely adds depth to your roster," said Bourget. "As much as you want to be in a starting role sooner in your career, sometimes it's just not your time yet."

"You focus on just doing everything that you can when you are in that first rotation coming off the bench."

You swallow hard, knowing that your patience is being tested likely a little more than you probably would appreciate. And you make the best of it - because, as they say, this too shall pass.

"At the time, I am sure it felt like a bigger deal probably but looking back now, I think that was exactly how it was supposed to be," said Bourget. "Wanting to contribute in a bigger way sooner is what I was adjusting to."

And the adjustments were not done yet.

Playing out the scenario of a starting role a million times in her head still did not fully equip Bourget and her cohort for what lie ahead.

"When that senior group graduated, my whole group stepped into a larger role," she said. "At first, it wasn't easy. You're excited to be in the new role - but now it's on you to win games. We had to figure this out."

Figure it out they would, posting a 15-7 record in 2023-2024 as Bourget started all 24 games.

"We brought in seven rookies in my first year as part of the captains' group," noted the young woman who actually was able to take to the court opposite her little sister (Bree at Queen's) in OUA action last year.

"All of these younger girls looking up to you, in the same program and you're able to offer them advice on the court, in the classroom. It's a challenge, but a privilege. That was really special to me."

Now just days away from leaving home yet again, Bourget was completely at peace with this next phase of life.

"This is the first year in a long time where I don't have any obligations on the court and I would like to be using that to see what I want in the future," she said.

"There are parts of me that would love to be part of the coaching aspect. There are parts of me that will find a way to keep playing, to keep scrimmaging. There are no set plans on where I want to go."

Undoubtedly, patience will be her guide.