SG Basketball: Potential in Season Opener

 

I have a feeling this is going to be a great year. Sure, we made a thousand mistakes in last night’s opening game 39-38 loss to Seminaire Salesien. Lots of missed shots and turnovers. Not quick enough to loose balls. Out-toughed too many times by a very scrappy, tough opponent. Late defensive rotations and undisciplined close-outs. Too many missed opportunities in transition. And a general lack of fitness, as we looked pretty puffed in the 4th quarter.

But this was our first game, against a team that had been practising since September. And there is no denying the potential on this squad, potential with flashes of brilliance, even.

Like how Emily Willis, Rosemary Lefebvre and Mackenzy St-Pierre adjusted to the full court pressure and competently, coolly brought up the ball throughout the 2nd half…

Or like Rosemarie Ladouceur’s rebounding and impressive poise for just a 2nd year player…

Or Lea-Rose Remillard’s comfort level on defense in only her 1st year of basketball…

Or Kenz’s imposing presence in the middle of our defense – how about 14 rebounds and 11 blocked shots?! Holy smokes…

Or Jeniva C being the first Spartan of the season to dive fullout on the floor for a loose ball…

Or finally, like Player Of The Game^TM Emily Willis intelligently adapting to the chippiness of the game, tweaking her approach on defense, digging down aggressively, getting stuck in, and still managing to score a game-high 16 pts on an assortment of jumpers and forays into the paint. Just an all-around great game from Emily, who never seems to get rattled…

But maybe most importantly, I really like this group of players. Jazzed about the game of basketball, thrilled to be there, nervous in a good way, ready to work and improve, focused on being the best we can be, and planning to have a heckuva lotta fun getting there. I look forward to practice every day, and I can’t wait for games.

Like this Saturday’s Stanstead Invitational Tournament, where we host three talented teams from Montreal, i.e. LCC, ECS and WIC.

So let’s learn from Wednesday’s mistakes, have a productive practice on Friday, and see if we can defend our SIT Championship from last year.

Here we go!

- Coaches Van Dyke & Wolfe