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| Darryl G. Smart Photo |
If you ask Hannah Haviland and some of her
fellow Grade 12 teammates, they probably can’t remember the last time
they won a basketball game.
That is until Tuesday.
Haviland was a presence down in the post, scoring a game-high 10 points
to lead the Waterford Wolves to a 19-14 victory over the Valley Heights
Bears in the opening game of the Norfolk Secondary School Athletic
Association senior girls basketball season.
“We didn’t win any games last year,” Haviland said. “We almost came
close, but it’s really been a long time. I really can’t remember.
“It’s so exciting to win this,” she said. “It really gives all of us so much confidence.”
And to do it in probably the Wolves biggest game of the regular season is the big bonus.
“It’s a pretty big game for us. We know if we beat Valley, we get a
chance to play at CWOSSA (Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools
Association championships),” Haviland said. “So for us it was a win or
die game. This is an amazing win for us.”
And because it was a pivotal game for both squads, despite it being the
first of the season, the nerves were at an all-time high.
“A lot of the girls were nervous before the game because they knew it
was a big one,” Haviland said. “But everyone stayed strong, and played
great.”
And the nerves showed early, as the Bears came out roaring, taking a
quick 7-0 lead, which turned into a 9-5 deficit at the half.
“We just had to play our game,” Wolves coach Dan Avey said. “It really
is a confidence thing. Once they got a couple of baskets and realized
they could score, they got confident. I couldn’t be happier for this
group. It’s been a long time, I can’t even remember when they’ve won a
game.”
While Haviland led with 10 points, a bushel basket of rebounds and more
than a handful of blocks, Olivia Graham pitched in with seven, with
Danielle Hiltz adding a pair.
Claudia Klassen and Amy Reimer each scored five points to lead all Bears
scorers, with Brianna Spanics and Becky VanGroningen adding two each.
“We were definitely good on our inbounds and defence,” Haviland said.
“We were able to grab a lot of rebounds after they shot, which was huge
for us. “
Avey said it was also nice to see a couple of different players get on the scoresheet.
“That’s what we’ll need to be successful,” Avey said. “We’ve got a
well-rounded group of kids. As long as they keep learning and
progressing, we’ll have a fun year.”
Haviland agrees.
“I think we have a pretty decent team,” she said. “We have different
kinds of players. We have some new, some players that have been here a
while. It’s a great learning experience for us to work together as we
move on this year.”
On Thursday, the Wolves are on the road, when they take on the Holy Trinity Titans at 3:30 p.m.
In junior action Tuesday, the Wolves made it a sweep, as they defeated the Bears 11-9.
Leah Erwin led the Wolves with a four-point effort, while Elizabeth Marr
added three. Emmie Ritteau and Bailey Donaldson each netted two points.
Julia Knelson led the bears with four points, while Leanne Aunnaun, and
Sabrinna Matthison had two each, with Claire Weavr pitching in with one.
