SG Basketball: Progress Made at Home Invitational

11/20/2018

By Erik Van Dyke

There are many good things that come out of losses, but maybe the best is how clearly they can identify what you need to work on going forward.

After losing a bit of a heartbreaker to Salesien in the season opener, we spent the next few practices addressing concerns that came out of that game, specifically defensive rotations, offensive organization, and, most importantly, aggressiveness and determination for rebounds and loose balls. How’d we do? Did we get better at our annual Stanstead Invitational Tournament, our first home games of the year?

Game #1 vs West Island College:

Definitely! In our best game of the tournament we clamped down on defense, allowing a paltry

18 pts to a solid, well-coached WIC squad. More deflections, better close-outs, and most impressively a real sense of urgency for rebounds and 50-50 balls. We looked invested out there. Hungry. It was great to see! Final score 39-18, and Player Of The Game goes to 1^st year guard Rosemary Lefebvre, who was much-improved on defense, and also poured in 10 pts, including a pair of three-pointers. Welcome to Senior, Rosema.

Game #2 vs Lower Canada College:

Speaking of learning experiences, the score of this tough game was 7-6 for LCC at halftime. The Lions’ intense ball pressure and athleticism gave us fits. We couldn’t get the ball across half. If we did, we couldn’t make a pass. If we did that, we couldn’t feed the post. Turnover after turnover after turnover, it was like a bakery out there. But again, these are the games that make you better. In the 2^nd half we adjusted. Mackenzy St-Pierre took over as principal ball-handler, Emily Willis became the distributor, and Alyssa MacPherson finished down low as only Alyssa can, to the tune of 16(!) 2^nd-half points. A hard-fought 33-26 victory and a 2-0 record, meaning the last game of the day would truly be the S.I.T. Finals.

Game #3 vs E.C.S.:

This was the most competitive S.I.T. in recent memory, with all 6 games hotly contested, and The Finals would prove no different. 19-16 for the Red & White at halftime. Five different Spartans had spread the scoring around, but containing the Beavers’ two super-guards was a tough ask, especially #10 who is one of the best players we’ll see this year. The 2^nd half started with the issue well in doubt, but that’s when Player Of The Tournament Emily Willis went on full video game mode, splashing three 3s on the way to 13 2^nd half points, effectively taking the air out of our opponents with each swish. Final score 42-31, a 3^rd consecutive S.I.T. Champions Plaque, many lessons learned, and a great day all around, filled with camaraderie and genuine sportsmanship from all players and coaches.

Up next? A little event we like to call CAIS 2018. The Spartans are going to Toronto!!

- Coaches Van Dyke & Wolfe

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