Simcoe Reformer: Juniors Getting Better Every Quarter

Article By:  Jacob Robinson

Retrieved From:  http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2782040

The first week of any junior team sport is always a touch-and-go process. Even more important than winning is the ability to clear those mental hurdles many players face entering the high school sports scene for the first time.

The girls basketball contest at Holy Trinity between the Titans and visiting Waterford Wolves was a prime example. A low scoring game with plenty of missed shots and giveaways in the first half for both teams morphed into a much better all-around effort in the second half.

The Wolves held a tiny lead going into the break, and increased it in the second half to win 24-14.

Winning their first game against Valley Heights Tuesday, the Wolves were thrown off just a bit by facing a much different Titans club.

"I think having a big lead Tuesday, it kind of gave us a little bit too much confidence and then we got out on the court and it was a bit of a different setup," said Waterford point guard Ericka Chuli, who led all scorers with 11 points. "Our team was really stressed, uptight and it wasn't like Tuesday (when Waterford played Valley Heights) -- harder team, better players, we were all uptight. But during halftime, we got everyone to calm down."

The process worked, and the team that had just two players score in the first half suddenly saw four find the scoresheet in the second.

"I think we just got it together -- we got a couple points in a row and just kept building on it from there," said Chuli. "At the half, we got everyone to calm down and think positively about the game."

The Titans are a very young squad, and are still trying to get their plays and chemistry going before taking a run at a win.

"It's only our second game, we're still trying to get together as a team and just learn each other's movements and just kind of come together. I think by our third or fourth game we'll do better," said Titan Lindsay Kalliokoski.

Down by just three heading into the second half, the Titans were outscored 9-5 in the third and 8-5 in the fourth.

"I think maybe we just got a little bit tired and then I think when we started seeing their score creeping up, we maybe started to lose a bit of confidence. But this game was much better than our other game," noted Kalliokoski.

"We tried to stay enthusiastic and keep cheering each other on."

Both teams will enjoy next Tuesday off for Young Canada Day before getting back on the court for Game 3 next Thursday.

Currently undefeated, the Wolves are looking to keep things on an even keel.

"I don't think we can think too highly about ourselves and say we've got it the whole season. That's not really what we should be thinking," said Chuli.

"We should be playing hard, playing the same game every game -- not expecting a win nor a loss, just an unknown and going in and playing the best that we can."

Rachel Szymezko followed Chuli with eight points and Jasmine Atkinson had four. Kayla Kasynski scored one.

For the Titans, Eleta Mitton registered seven points, Logan Land had four, Jenna Dierick got two and Kalliokoski scored one.