16 teams chase Standard Girls Basketball crown
Erika Rouse (middle) and the Eden Flyers are the top seeds in the 2018 Standard Girls Basketball Tournament.
Regional bragging right and early season momentum are at stake when the 19th Annual Standard Girls Basketball Tournament kicks off at four locations on Tuesday.
Opening games will be played at Eden, Governor Simcoe, Denis Morris and Sir Winston Churchill before the tournament switches to Churchill and Simcoe. All tournament games will be played at Governor Simcoe on Thursday and Friday. Friday’s consolation final will be played at 6 p.m. followed by the championship match at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s schedule includes: Greater Fort Erie vs. Denis Morris (1:15 p.m.) and Holy Cross vs. A.N. Myer (2:45 p.m.) at Denis Morris; Jean Vanier vs. Governor Simcoe (1:30 p.m.) and Blessed Trinity vs. Thorold (3 p.m) at Governor Simcoe; St. Michael vs. Eden (1:45 p.m.) and E.L. Crossley vs. Grimsby (3:15 p.m) at Eden; and, Sir Winston Churchill vs. Saint Paul (2 p.m.) and Centennial vs. St. Francis (3:30 p.m.) at Sir Winston Churchill.
Coming off their impressive march to the St. Francis tournament title, the Eden Flyers enter the Standard tournament as top seeds for the first time. Rounding out the top four seeds are Blessed Trinity, Sir Winston Churchill and A.N. Myer. A.N. Myer defeated Churchill in last year’s championship game.
All proceeds from the tournament are used to provide bursaries to athletes who compete in the tournament. Since its in inception, the tournament has handed out more than $30,000 to deserving student/athletes.
“The Standard tournament has become an exciting an event on the high school sports calendar in Niagara,” tournament chair Jill Stiefelmeyer said. “Championship night is always a memorable event for the athletes and fans who pack the gym at Simcoe.
“We are looking forward to another great tournament this week.”
Below are capsules of the teams competing in this year’s tournament using information provided by the coaching staffs at 16 schools.
A.N. MYER MARAUDERS
Last season’s senior record: 22-2.
Last season’s junior record: 6-8.
Number of returning players: 6.
Key returning players: G Tori Rigas-DiDomenico; G Emily Braun; F Rosie Tait.
Key newcomers: C Ava Collee; F Naomi Shad.
Strengths: Attacking rim; defence.
Weaknesses: Outside shooting.
BLESSED TRINITY THUNDER
Last season’s senior record: 19-5 overall.
Last season’s junior record: 2-5.
Number of returning players: 8.
Key returning players: G Mia DiPasquale; G Ella Muraca; F Olivia Iannotta; F/G Maddie O’Brien.
Strengths: Experience; speed; commitment.
Weakness: On-court chemistry.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
Number of returning players: 4.
Key returning players: G/F Destiny Paquin; G Brenna Ferrara.
Key newcomers: G Emily Campbell; G Jess Acaster.
Strengths: Speed; ability to drive to net.
Weaknesses: Rebounding; perimeter shooting.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
Number of returning players: 9.
Key returning players: G Lexus Bell; F Jordyn Britton; G Cayla Mirabella; G Maisyn Kwinecki.
Key newcomer: F Rayshell Nyamekye.
Strengths: Continuity from last year; understanding each other’s game; rebounding.
EDEN FLYERS
Last season’s senior record: 23-5.
Last season’s junior record: 16-3.
Number of returning players: 6.
Key returning players: G Mackenzie Schroeder; PG Avery Cushing; G Beth deBoer; F Erika Rouse; G Hayley Gilbert.
Key newcomer: F Madelyn Weinert.
Strengths: Key players with significant high school and club ball experience; teamwork; willingness to share ball to get better scoring opportunities.
E.L.CROSSLEY CYCLONES
Last season’s senior record: 3-20.
Last season’s junior record: 14-1, won SOSSA A championship.
Number of returning players: four from senior and four juniors.
Strengths: Determined; experienced; quick.
Weaknesses: finishing, on court communication.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE REDCOATS
Last season’s senior record: 10-10.
Key returning players: F Allison Addy; G Emma Parkin; G Mia Friesen; C Alicia Reid.
Key newcomer: F Maiya Millin.
Strengths: Athleticism; speed.
Weaknesses: Youth and experience; outside shooting; only one travel player.
GREATER FORT ERIE GRYPHONS
Last season’s senior record: .500.
Last season’s junior record: .500.
Number of returning players: 5.
Key returning players: G Taylor Doyle; G Megan Louws; F Kaitlyn Gregory.
Key newcomers: G Kailee Barrett; G Julianne Bowles; F Candice Goulding.
Strengths: Speed; defence.
Weaknesses: Shooting; size.
GRIMSBY EAGLES
Last season’s senior record: Standard consolation finalists.
Key returning players: Asha-Lee Crooks; Emma Tracey; Trinity McMurtry; Madelyn Strongetharm; Lauren Nugent; Regan Jones.
Key newcomers: PG Sarah Wade; G Breanna Kool.
Strength: Teamwork.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS
Last season’s senior record: 3-12.
Last season’s junior record: 4-7.
Number of returning players: 5.
Key returning players: G Sarah O’Rourke; G Ally Dyck.
Key newcomers: F Maddie Caughill.
Strengths: Ball movement; rebounding; effort; defensive positioning.
Weaknesses: Bringing ball up against pressure; consistent scoring.
JEAN VANIER LYNX
Last season’s senior record: Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations A silver medalists.
Returning players: 0.
Key newcomers: Post players Isabelle Sinclair and Corynn Parker.
Strengths: Rebounding and defence.
Weakness: Experience.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
Last season’s senior record: 23-9, lost in Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association AAA final.
Last season’s junior record: 12-10, lost in Zone 4 final.
Number of returning players: 8.
Key returning players: Ally Sentance; Lauren Vanecko; Kaley DeMont; Olivia Nazar; Olivia Krieger; Reagan Emond.
Key newcomers: Sara Brinell; Julia Barker.
Strengths: Deep bench; fast and athletic; outside shooting.
Weakness: Overall team size.
ST. FRANCIS PHOENIX
Last season’s senior record: 9-8.
Last season’s junior record: Zone 4 champions.
Number of returning players: 3.
Key returning players: F Viktoria Cubelic; G Ava Lannan; F Hannah Schlipper.
Key newcomers: G Rachel Bufalino; F Teagen Orth; G Mya D’Intino.
Strengths: Athleticism; size; energy.
Weakness: Experience.
SAINT MICHAEL’S MUSTANGS
Last season’s senior record: 5-4.
Last season’s junior record: 1-6.
Number of returning players: 5.
Key returning players: Julia Manlow; Lauren Carter; Aliyah Glaze.
SAINT PAUL PATRIOTS
Number of returning players: 4.
Key returning players: PG Julianna Fabiano.
Key newcomers: G Keira Federinko; G Hanna Dino.
Strength: Speed.
Weakness: Size.
THOROLD GOLDEN EAGLES
Last season’s senior record: 6-11.
Key returning players: F Mia Nicholson; F Riley Humaniski; G Eryn Evans; G Abi VanValkenburg; G Bri Davidson; G Raz Amiri; G Brooklyn Brown; F Mya Conway.
Key newcomers: Dior Arbuthnot; F Cinthia Rougoor; G Madison McCallum.
Strengths: Size; aggression; camaraderie.
Weakness: Game experience.
