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Stampeders capture TVRA junior hoops title
  

 Stampeders ride to TVRA hoops title

   

   Parkside erases an early deficit to defeat the Medway Cowboys, 51-39,  

   in the TVRA Central Division junior girls' basketball final 

 

  November 24, 2021

 

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By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - The Parkside Stampeders turned to their defence and rode a second quarter surge to become champions.

The Stampeders over came a 10 point deficit after the opening quarter, coming back to defeat the Medway Cowboys, 51-39, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics Central Division tier one junior girls' basketball final, at Parkside Collegiate.

Medway led 13-3 before the Stampeders kicked it up with a 22 point second quarter for a 25-20 lead at half-time.

"The last time we played them (49-32 win on November 4) we were down 12-3 at the end of the first. This time we were down 13-3. But in the second quarter we did the exact same thing. We just exploded. Our defence did a really good job. We bought in to the whole system of using your feet," Parkside coach Gerald Hikele said.

"I think it was maybe a little bit of the jitters about going undefeated, but soon it was gone and we played our basketball. We had a few really good defensive stops. Actually, we had a lot of defensive stops in the second quarter, but we also poured in 20-something points. That was the explosion."

Held to three points in the first quarter, the Stampeders poured in 22 in the second frame and 13 in both the third and fourth quarters.

"We were fantastic. We pushed it when we could and we controlled it when we could. Our passing was fantastic. We always saw the open person and they always moved towards it," Hikele said. "I am extremely proud of those girls. They have played unbelievable this year. A great way to end our season."

The Stampeders' offence was on fire the entire season going 9-0 while averaging 49 points per game.

"We focused and a lot of the kids have good court vision," Hikele added. "That's another big thing that really helped us out a lot. We knew when to go to the basket and when not to go to the basket. We really peaked throughout the playoffs."

Annie Renaud and Emma Giesbrecht led the Stampeders dropping 13 and 12 points, respectively. Ella Ordronneau had nine points.

"We like playing defence. Everybody knows defence is important. We did practice lots on D and wanting that ball is really important," Renaud said. "We were making our lay-ups and making our foul shots. Communication and talking with each other on D and on offence and knowing our plays."

Isabella Bertucci had a game high 18 points for Medway, while Kate Klassen had 12 points.

"Medway played extremely well," praised Hikele. "15 (Bertucci) and 3 (Klassen), they were two girls we had to focus on. They were the best players."

This was the first season for both the Grade nine and 10 players due to pandemic wiping out the 2020 year. This year's schedule was shorter and had no tournament and there is no WOSSAA championship.

"I missed playing last year so it's nice to be back," Renaud said. "It's a nice feeling to win. It's awesome."

 

 

       


        rob@hometownplay.ca

 

 

 



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