"March Madness"---Huskies Win Gold!!

The Haldimand Huskies Major Bantam Girls Rep team participated in the local Hamilton Wildcats tournament during the March Break and came away as Gold Champions!! The local girls were 4-0 for the tournament, which saw them tipoff against the host team Hamilton Wildcats, Scarborough Blues and Welland Warriors.

The action began on the Friday night as the Huskies faced the Wildcats and what began as a slow 1st half was quickly turned around with an explosive 2nd half as the girls came away with a convincing 32-15 win. The girls executed some fine passing and cuts to the basket enabling 7 Huskies to score. Leading all players was Emily Gill with 15 pts, followed by Sadie Martin, Kelsey Toner and Alex Walewski each with 4 and Nicole Shea and Alexis Poirier each netting 2pts.

Saturday morning the girls would rise and shine to the opposition of the Scarborough Blues team. A great defensive game allowed the girls to keep the score low and hold their opponents to 7 pts in the first half. They would change up the strategy from a zone pressure to a tough man to man, wherein nothing was sinking for the “Blues”. This time it was Kelsey Toner who brought her game and went strong to the hoop for 12 pts, followed closely by teammate Alexis Poirier with 8 pts. Olivia Athanasoius and E. Gill each added 5 pts, Shayla Cole netted 4pts and Krista Vanderzanden and N.Shea each added in a single bucket! Defensively, Sadie Martin led the Huskies “Blue pressure”, alongside Morgan Hopkins on the wing and Leigha McCoppen underneath alongside their teammates to shutdown the Scarborough gals.

This would take the Huskies to their next opponent the Welland Warriors. Again the local girls dominated, coming away with a 25-6 win which saw great teamwork, strategic passing and effective defensive work by all. K. Toner led her team with 12 pts, while E.Gill added in 5pts, Shayla hit for 4 pts and N. Shea, A. Poirier and L. McCoppen combined for 5 pts.

This would set the stage for the Championship game which would have the Huskies match up against the Scarborough Blues once again. The “Blues” would come out strong with an upbeat, quick paced game from tipoff time. With only 9 Huskies on the bench and a couple of girls in foul trouble late in the first half, teamwork was the ‘name of the game’. The Haldimand Huskies settled into a tight 2-1-2 zone defense which made it tough for their opponents to establish any inside game. They worked hard to control the defensive boards, not allowing their opponents that ‘2nd shot’. Both point guards, Alexis Poirier and Sadie Martin were instrumental in leading the offence. Alexis led her team with 10pts, and Sadie added in 6 pts. The local girls led at half 24-20, but that would evaporate quickly in the second half. The Toronto girls were on the attack once again, and consequently the Huskies found themselves falling behind. However, with a full court press and quick hands and feet from all Huskies on the floor, the girls were able to get a few key baskets themselves and take the lead once again, setting their sites on the gold! They would continue to work hard, lots of line changes and everyone playing a key role. E. Gill hit for 7 pts, S. Martin, L. McCoppen and K. Toner added in 6 pts each while N. Shea, S. Cole and M. Hopkins each added 2pts. The teamwork and desire of the Huskies to win the gold gave them the edge as they came away victorious with a 41-34 win, and their first ever Championship title and gold medal! Great job girls!!

Article submitted by Mary-Ann Gill