Simcoe Reformer: Junior Raiders Hold On

Article By:  Jeff Dertinger

Despite the Sabres giving them fits throughout, the Delhi Raiders held serve to keep their perfect record intact.


Delhi improved to 7-0 in NSSAA junior girls basketball play with a 32-22 victory over the Simcoe Sabres (5-2) yesterday afternoon at SCS. It wasn't a dominating win by any means, yet the Raiders persevered to come out on top.

The difference in the game really came down to Simcoe's devastating scoring drought in the second and third quarters. The Sabres scored just one basket over that entire 16-minute stretch of play -- a tough thing for any team to overcome.

Conversely, Simcoe did out-score the Raiders in both the first and fourth quarters. The Sabres led after the opening eight minutes of play 8-7, then put up 12 points to Delhi's eight in the final frame.

Needless to say, the Sabres learned a lot about where they stand heading into next week's playoffs.

"The goal was to be better than we were the last time we played Delhi (a 43-12 Raiders win), and this was definitely better," Sabres coach Jim Carroll said. "We were able to shut down, not totally, but shut down to an extent some of the fast break points by Delhi, which they're really good at. And at the end, Jenna Schott finally found her stroke and sunk some nice baskets."

The Raiders had shooting woes of their own. Kendra Freund and Leah Ebdon struggled some with their finish -- although they were still easily the best players on the court for Delhi yesterday. Ebdon led all scorers with 12 points, while Freund put up 11.

Freund and Ebdon thrive on creating turnovers and turning them into quick points, which can crush the opposition's spirit. Freund's speed and ball-handling ability make her almost impossible to defend in a fast-break situation.

"Our defence could've been a lot better I think," said Freund "We want to be able to run our plays properly. This wasn't our best game."

Delhi assistant coach Kim Jansen said the tight game with Simcoe and Thursday's upcoming tilt with a strong Waterford club is just what the team needs.

"There was a bunch of little mistakes made today, and I think that's because the girls haven't seen a level of competition like Simcoe in a while. Simcoe applied pressure and they panicked a little out there," Jansen said.

"The more they get used to playing in those pressure situations, the better they'll respond in the future."

Delhi travels to Waterford while Simcoe hosts Holy Trinity Thursday. NSSAA junior girls basketball playoffs begin next Tuesday in Delhi at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

In the senior game, Simcoe kept its own unbeaten streak going with a 42-19 victory over the Raiders. Sabres forward Alyssa Becque led all scorers with 13 points and teammate Jade Ebdon had eight. Delhi's Emily Brooks scored 10 of her team's 19 points.

Over at Holy Trinity, the senior Titans kept pace with Simcoe by downing Valley Heights 42-16. Annessa Casier led all scorers with 18 points. Holy Trinity (8-1) hosts Simcoe (9-0) in the regular season finale Thursday with first place on the line.

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