Article By: Gavin Crites
Tuesday night's junior high school girls basketball game between St. John's College and Brantford Collegiate Institute saw a dramatic finish when a potential game-winning BCI jump shot hit the rim and bounced out with no time left on the clock, securing the 42-41 win for SJC.
Their senior counterparts, on the other hand, booked most of the drama for the first half of their game Tuesday night.
Although the senior Green Eagles (6-1) cruised to a 71-24 win over the Mustangs (3-4), the early score seesawed after BCI came back from an early 14-point deficit.
The Eagles scored the first 14 points, including the first seven from Katie Polischuk, a first-team all-star from last summer's Ontario Basketball Association championships.
With the early lead, Eagles coach Matt Lynch subbed most of his starters, and the Mustangs took advantage. BCI cut the lead to eight at the end of the quarter and took a 21-19 lead with 3:02 remaining in the half when Megan Melling completed a three-point play at the foul line.
Polischuk then responded for Eagles, scoring 12 points in the second quarter and helping her team finish the half ahead 35-21.
"I felt like we needed to step up a little bit," said Polischuk, who finished with 25 points. "I kind of had to be a little more selfish than I was at the first part of the game."
Polischuk, who saw limited minutes late in the game, seemed to be everywhere on the floor defensively for the Eagles. As well, she contributing at the offensive end in a variety of ways-finding open teammates for easy looks, getting to the line and hitting her free throws.
To cap it off, with time running down in the second quarter, Polischuk pulled up around half-court and drained a three at the buzzer.
Mustangs coach Ron Jamula said that his team played hard.
"We competed the whole game," Jamula said. "St. John's kind of went to sleep for a while and we took advantage of it."
Due to two rugby-related injuries, the Mustangs played the game with only seven players.
"We'll just go with what we got," said Jamula.
"It gives the other kids a chance to play, which is good for their development... . The more playing time we can give to these kids coming back the better they're going to get."
Rachael Adkins, who scored seven points for the Mustangs, drew a tough defensive assignment in guarding Polischuk.
"We knew it would be tough to guard such a tall and really good offensive team," Adkins said.
"St John's is a really strong team. They have a lot of rep players on it. Our team isn't as experienced as theirs so it felt pretty good to be winning for at least some of the game."
Eagles guard Shawni Hnatiuk contributed eight points and a few steals and assists in the victory.
Looking ahead to Thurs-day night's game against North Park Collegiate, who share a 6-1 record and first place with the Eagles, Hnatiuk said her team will need a stronger start if they want to beat the Trojans.
"Definitely for North Park, we're going to have to come out really strong and have an intense warm-up... . It all starts with our warm-up and (being) mentally (prepared)," Hnatiuk said.
Eagles coach Matt Lynch said his team gave up a lot points early, but some second half adjustments and more intensity led to tougher defence and better shooting from his squad.
"Everybody shot the ball well. Everybody had their opportunities. And when they had their opportunities they knocked 'em down," Lynch said.
The Eagles starters didn't need to see much time after the third quarter, which was perfectly all right with Lynch.
"It's always good to get everybody minutes and with everyone shooting the ball so well it's a confidence boost for everybody," he said.
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SENIOR RESULTS
North Park Collegiate (6-1) over Paris District High School (0-7) 52-17. NPC leading scorers: Abbey Sayles 22, Kyanna Wray 12, Natasha Linnington 10. PDHS leading scorers: Emma Perry 5, Emma Pierce 4, Alex Forsyth 4.
Assumption College (5-2) over Pauline Johnson Collegiate (1-6) 38-12 PJC outstanding players: Erica Jacobs, Chelsea Biggs, Brianna Rowe. AC outstanding players: Jerika Baldin, Emily Gill, Fara Harris
JUNIOR RESULTS
St. John's College (7-0) over Brantford Collegiate Institute (5-2) 42-41. SJC leading scorers: Megan Thompson 18, Bri Bavota 10, Jess Digan 5. BCI leading scorers: Victoria Waud 11, Bayley Vachon 9, Summer Sakaluk 6
North Park Collegiate (5-2) over Paris District High School (1-6) 38-22. NPC leading scorers: Halle Sitarski 14, Gabby Marton, 10. PDHS leading scorers: Beth Stulen 12
Assumption College (3-4) over Pauline Johnson Collegiate (0-7) 51-17. PJC outstanding players: Meagan Baines, Shelby Laughlin, Abby Smith. AC outstanding players: Erica Turner, Kalee Lomax, Emily McInnes.
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