WOSSAA gold ends Titans' drought

    Central Elgin's first WOSSAA junior girls' basketball title since 1999

    Tuesday, November 13, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, ON. - A nearly two decade long drought is over.

The Central Elgin Titans are WOSSAA 1A junior girls' basketball champions, following dominating victories over host London District Christian and the Mitchell District Blue Devils.

"We played really well these past two games. It feels amazing. Now we can go like, we won WOSSAA!,"  Titans' co-captain Faith DeVries said. "We played our game. We're very intense. We really get at it right from the beginning and we end really strong. Our coaches call us scrappy. Some of us get into foul trouble, but it's worth it in the end."

A balance offensive attack carried the Titans in the gold medal game, with a 47-12 win over Mitchell.  

"I did not expect that," admitted co-captain Kiki Wilson, of the lop-sided score.  "We were watching their game (semifinal win over North Middlesex) and thought these guys are scrappy and rough, just like us. But we pulled through. We played as a team and that's what you have to do in a championship game."

Sherah Kuiper led the Titans with 11 points while Wilson and DeVries, had 10 and eight points, respectively.  Aya Zebrian, Camryn Roth and Tori Baker, each chipped in with six points. Central Elgin was in command by recess leading 26-8.

"That's the way it's been all season. That's been our strength," coach Shannon Swift said. "We play a smothering defence, but we don't full court press because we do better when we're not. We realized we were much better half court and we're in their face. They're (players) defensive intensity is unbelievable."

The Titans' 42-13 dribbling London Christian in the semifinals was somewhat of an antinomy with DeVries pouring in 21 points, instead of more balanced attack. Next best scorer was Baker with six points. The Titans led 14-0 after one quarter and 22-6 at half.

Back on November 8th, the Titans won the TVRA 1A title, defeating Woodstock CI, 41-28.

"We were so shocked that we won that game (TVRA final). It was crazy," said DeVries. "We always play as a team and we always lifted each other up. Everyone is really encouraging."

Wilson added, "We're pretty good with sportsmanship and we cheer each other on. The encouragement helps, keeps you motivated even if we're down. If you mess up (a shot), you stay strong and make up for it on defence."

It is CECI's first junior girls WOSSAA title in basketball since 1999, when Allie Hobbs, Maggie Morrison, Martha Aristone, Brit MacDonald and Kelly Metcalf, were wearing the gold and black.

That group, with coaches Wayne Walker and Scott Massecar, would go on to win WOSSAA at the senior level, advance to OFSAA and win a bronze medal at the provincial tournament in 2001.

All but four players on this year's Titans' team will move up to senior next year. Central Elgin was without a senior team this year after only four players showed up for first practice.

At the senior level, the St. Marys DCVI Salukis edged Woodstock C.I., 36-35, in the WOSSAA gold medal game, to earn a berth at OFSAA. Parkhill North Middlesex took the bronze medal, defeating Strathroy Holy Cross, 51-32.

In AA action at Stratford St. Mike's, the East Elgin Eagles brought home the junior girls' bronze medal, dumping Wingham Madill, 43-15. The Eagles lost to the gold medalist from London Mother Teresa, in the semifinals, 41-37. Mother Teresa beat London South, 45-21, for the junior title.

Mother Teresa also won the senior AA championship, by disappointing the host team, 37-31. Woodstock Huron Park destroyed London South, 46-15, for the bronze medal.