SG Basketball: Ace of CAIS

 

Game scores first. In round-robin play we went undefeated, beating Sacred Heart School of Montreal 45-18 on Thursday morning and then Albert College (Belleville, Ont.) 43-26 on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, we lost two great games –  45-47 to Lower Canada College (Montreal, QC) and then 34-39 to eventual finalists Ashbury College (Ottawa, Ont.) – which put us in the 5th place game on Saturday vs Appleby College (Oakville, Ont.), which we won 39-24

 

Bernie being 15 feet behind and chasing down and disrupting a fast break… Henni’s two fast break finishes on the delayed break… Sara’s 4 pt play… recognizing the ballhandler is “Dead!” and forcing a 5-sec violation… Halle’s consecutive steals… these highlights from the Sacred Heart game just MAKE ME SMILE.

 

6, 6, 7, 8, and 8 – the number of different SC scorers in each game this tournament; this team definitely likes sharing the ball.

 

Most dependable free throw shooter on the team so far? Camryn Moore. Takes her sweet time – I love it! – and is 100% laser-focused on making every. Single. Shot.

 

1)   When we tell you not to reach because the refs are calling it tight, don’t reach. Adjust.

2)   Complaining about calls is a waste of time, AND it is selfish. While you’re whining, you’re not thinking about the next play, and you’re not helping your team.

3)   there is no better recipe for underachievement than going into a game already thinking you’re the better team

 

Ultimately, Bernie’s and Halle’s energy got us through the first half vs Albert College, and we turned things around in the second half led by Sara’s fearless drives, Henni’s activity around the basket, and a team-wide commitment to legitimately working on defence.

 

So many out-of-control closeouts and players jumping at ball fakes and ill-advised block attempts and late help this tournament – but not from your Spartans. The commitment to defence is paying off; we were definitely one of the most disciplined defensive teams out there.

 

It’s easy to take for granted how well Melissa handles full-court pressure because she makes it look so easy. But that combination of speed, strength, vision and left-hand handle is rare.

 

The LCC barnburner was the Game Of The Year, super intense, with both teams playing well at the same time. The Lions shot well, and their pressure turns games into track meets, but Melissa and Sara prove up to the task, breaking the press time and again to create early offense. Down 42-34 in the fourth, we claw back with three consecutive tough baskets inside – Henni then Mel then Sara – but a lucky LCC bank shot and then a free throw make it 45-40 with time running out. Then Mel gets fouled driving the lane and calmly sinks both freebies. 45-42. Tick tick tick. Then Play Of The Game #1, Mel feeds Camryn on the break, full speed layup, hoop and the foul! And One! With ice in her veins, Camryn converts the 3-pt play. 45-45. 30 sec left. Good defence, but LCC hits yet another tough baseline jumper. 47-45. We lose the ball out of bounds. 16 sec left. Then Play Of The Game #2, going all-out to deny the entry pass, we force a 5-second violation – our ball! No timeouts left. We inbound the ball… tick tick tick… cross half… but the Lions pressure gets the better of us, as they steal the ball and ultimately win the game. Still, what a performance. To play at THAT level against a team THAT good playing THAT well, it bodes well for the season.

 

Check this stat: over the course of 5 games we basically tied our opponents in the first half, scoring 84 pts and allowing 87. But after halftime? 119-70 for us! That is third- and fourth-quarter domination, and says a lot about the guts and determination on this team. You better get to us early, cuz the Spartans are coming for you in the second half.

 

Gloria Riddell was born to play triangle & 2 defence – quick feet, disruptive hands, and impeccable instincts. She gave Ashbury fits.

 

Speaking of Ashbury, extend that game five more minutes and we woulda had ‘em. Down 37-21 in the middle of the third quarter, Gloria, Sara, Camryn, Maddie and Henni went full lockdown mode and allowed only two made free throws the REST OF THE GAME! We slowly closed the gap, but ran out of time

 

From now on, when we give Camryn the job of shutting down the best opposing guard, we’re ‘camrynizing’ that player. When Maddie locks down their best post player? Maddifying…

 

We must’ve scored 15 pts on Line Hayley and Box Sara this weekend. Those kinds of points are like finding money in your pocket you didn’t know you had.

 

Our final opponent, Appleby, is coached by a close personal friend of mine, Stephen Telling, an alum of SC. I reminded the players in the pre-game huddle that a win would give me bragging rights for a year. Stephen, if you’re reading this: 4-3…

 

How tough are the Spartans this year? With Henni’s bruised knees, Maddie’s broken finger, Melissa’s taped ankle and Sara’s black eye, the lineup that took down Appleby looked like they walked in from the prison yard.

 

Defensive Rebounds – Henrike Kraushaar                   

Offensive Rebounds – Henrike Kraushaar

Steals – Camryn Moore       

Points – Sara Paquette                        

Assists – Melissa Kakayuk

 

And finally, my favourite Non-Basketball Moment of the Tournament: “All I Want For Christmas Is You”!

 

- Coaches Van Dyke & Wolfe

 

The year so far
Overall Record:  7 wins 3 losses

RSEQ League Play:  1 win  0 losses

Points for per game:  38.0     Points allowed per game:  22.2

Stanstead Invitational Tournament CHAMPIONS