Team of majority first year players go 4-1 at Ontario Cup
April 19, 2023
St. Thomas Shock Ontario Cup U12 Girls silver medalists are, from left, front row - Maykayla Froats, Kaye Burgess, Sydney Chapman, Hailey Adams, Olivia Grace; back row - coach Ali Burgess, Charlie Lale, Alyssa Luyks, Sydney Smith, Lea Gordon, Kaitlyn Ratelle, Shelby Adams, Sofia Martinez-Rizo, coach Peggy Malone. Absent from photo coach Adley Rutkauskas. (photo / St. Thomas Shock)
By Rob J. Ross
NEPEAN, Ont. - The St. Thomas Shock brought home silver from the Ontario Cup U12 girls division five championship.
Host Ottawa South got the best of the Shock in the final, winning 36-18, April 16.
"We had an amazing time in Ottawa. The girls played five great games of basketball and we couldn't be prouder of our season," Shock coach Ali Burgess said. "While it was fun to win a silver medal, I think that the girls cherish their friendships more."
On their way to the final, St. Thomas defeated Brantford CYO, 40-9, Ottawa South, 41-23, Durham City, 50-17 and Centre Wellington, 50-14.
"Our entire team contributed to our success," Burgess said. "We play an aggressive man to man defence that causes a lot of turnovers and fast breaks which is how we typically score a lot of points. We also were able to run a controlled offense and work as a team to get smart shots off."
It was the first appearance at an Ontario Cup for much of the team.
"This year was the first year of organized basketball for most of our team and the improvement in both individual skills and team play over the season was amazing," said Burgess. "The most impressive thing to see was the support and the love that they have for each other."
At the Ontario Cup U12 boys division five tournament, in Fonthill, the Shock went 1-2.
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