Phoenix hold off Gators
The St. Francis Phoenix are going to ask much more from Viktoria Cubelic this season.
Not only has Phoenix head coach Jono Marcheterre asked Cubelic to add playmaking to her skillset, but he is also looking to the 17-year-old, Grade 12 student for more direction on the court.
Cubelic got off to a good start in her new role as she poured in a game-high 11 points as the Phoenix held off the Lakeshore Catholic Gators 43-36 in a Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior girls basketball game Thursday.
“He’s asked me to step up as a leader on the team, which I’m excited about. I didn’t have that chance last year. I was in Grade 11 and the Grade 12s took more of that role,” Cubelic said.
As far as the switch in position, Cubelic is fine with that as well.
“On my club team (Dave Picton’s Niagara Girls Basketball Academy) I played more of a post position because I was one of the bigger players on the team, but this year I’ve been asked to bring the ball up more and play more of a guard position,” she said. “It’s not that hard because with my summer team, nobody has a set position. No one is at post or guard, it’s get to an open spot and get the ball.
“It’s not too bad, but it’s definitely different.”
Marcheterre has no doubt Cubelic has the attributes to add to her game.
“She’s the kind of a girl who can back it up with her work ethic and talent,” he said. “It’s about her becoming a little more vocal and assertive on the floor. She has so many opportunities to take the ball to the rim and score, but unselfishly will look for a better opportunity or for someone else.
“She has the pedigree naturally, so it’s the next step for her as basketball player.”
Cubelic is one of only three Grade 12s on the team along with Ava Lannon and Hanna Schipper.
“We need it. I’m counting on them to speak up and help each other out,” Marcheterre said.
The game was the season opener for the Phoenix and there was some predictable rust.
“It was a little bit difficult but we’ve been practising almost every day before school and after school. We’re getting to know each other really well and we had a good chance to run a lot of new things,” Cubelic said.
The Phoenix led 14-10 after one quarter, 25-18 at the half and 34-21 after three quarters.
“It was helpful that it was enough competition to improve and we played well enough that if we made some mistakes we were still OK,” Cubelic said. “We’re still learning how each other play. We’re not at that point where we just know where somebody is going to be. We’re still working on it. We have to work on the turnovers but it will get better as the season goes on.”
Marcheterre realizes it will be a process.
“For us, the game plan all year long will be to get better one game at a time,” he said. “We have the ability to be competitive locally and with other AA teams. It’s just going to be a little bit of a learning thing.”
Stats Pack
Mick and Angelo’s/Johnny Rocco’s Star of the Game: St. Francis’ Vitkoria Cubelic with 11 points.
For the St. Francis Phoenix: Cubelic 11; Hannah Schipper 9; Mya D’Intino 6.
For the Lakeshore Catholic Gators: Emma Koabel 10; Logan Tworcyzuck 8; Keri Lynn Jones 8.
By the quarter: The Phoenix led 14-10 after one quarter, 25-18 at the half and 34-21 after three quarters.
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