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| Photo via @SJCEagles / Twitter |
Eagles used some timely fourth-quarter made shots to hold off the Resurrection Phoenix, 52-45, winning their fourth consecutive CWOSSA title (AAA/AAAA) in the process.
Both teams started off hot offensively, particularly the Phoenix, who had Sydney Guker-Wickie go two-for-two from three-point range in the opening quarter. Rez opened up a 12-6 advantage, though the Green Eagles would trim the deficit to just three points (19-16) after one.
SJC took the lead early in the second at 20-19, using consecutive "run-out" opportunities effectively for fast-break baskets. The Phoenix would stick with them for the rest of the quarter, and it was a 28-27 Green Eagle lead at the half.
The second half saw St. John's gain a "two-possession" advantage in the third quarter, going up by 5. Every time Rez made a basket, the Green Eagles seemed to respond with one of their own.
SJC couldn't push the lead to double-digits, but they did get a couple crucial three-pointers from star guard Kaitlyn Overeem, who took over in the fourth quarter with a couple of three-pointers and a variety of drives to the hoop.
One of her three-pointers was of particular importance for St. John's, as it stretched a four-point game to seven, and took away some Resurrection momentum.
With the rule changes installed in high school basketball this year (5 team fouls for bonus in a quarter = 2 free throws), Rez only had one team foul with about a minute to go in the game and were unable to manage any sort of "foul fest".
In fact, there was no scoring in the game's final minute.
Overeem was the dominant factor for St. John's, though the Green Eagles did get contributions from up and down their 6 woman rotation.
Overeem finished with an impressive stat-line of 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Her points came on an efficient shooting day -- she went 9-for-16 from the floor.
Only in grade eleven, Overeem is certainly among the top CWOSSA recruits in her class.
Bridget Kwasnik added 9 points, while Sadie Lemmon chipped in with two important fourth quarter free-throws.
Grade ten Christina Emmons did a nice job off the bench for SJC, contributing 7 points and 4 rebounds.
The Phoenix went into the game missing starting forward Delina Romano (family commitment) and 6th woman Megan Fergusson, who was on her NCAA D-1 hockey recruiting visit.
Grade 12 G/F Emily Simmons (who announced her commitment to D1 Wisconsin Green-Bay for soccer later in the weekend) was one of the Phoenix who helped to fill the void. She had a big fourth-quarter jumper to keep Rez within striking distance and also contributed 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Of course, it was the "big three" that did most of the damage for Rez. Krissia Vasquez led the way with a 15-point performance, including four made three-pointers.
Guker-Wickie (who played beyond her years as a grade ten) added 13 points, while Meghan Sharpe finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Buse Bin-Edward chipped in the other 6, adding 6 rebounds.
The Green Eagles advance to the "AAA" OFSAA tournament, scheduled this coming weekend in Toronto. Good luck to them!
I'd be remiss if I didn't also congratulate the other teams in the tournament (and throughout CWOSSA) on a fantastic season of basketball. North Park, Waterloo-Oxford, Jacob Hespeler, and others (at the AAA level) made this one of the most tightly contested seasons in recent memory. Thank you!
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