Flyers fly into finals
Madalyn Weinert was all over the floor for the Eden Flyers Thursday.
The 14-year-old, Grade 10 student dominated to lead the Flyers past the A.N. Myer Marauders 58-46 in a semifinal game Thursday at the 19th Annual Standard Girls High School Basketball Tournament.
The No. 1 seed Flyers now take on the No. 3 seed Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs for the championship Friday at Governor Simcoe at 7:30 p.m.
Weinert not only brought the ball up on numerous occasions and ran the offence, but she also poured in a game-high 18 points, and was virtually unstoppable on the boards.
Weinert could barley contain herself after the win, congratulating her teammates as soon as they were done shaking hands with the Marauders.
“It’s just awesome,” she said. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”
Weinert was thrilled to be able to be a big part of such an important victory.
“It feels great because then you know you’re in the game and the intensity is running high,” she said. “It’s such an awesome feeling to play.”
Weinert, who plays JUEL Prep ball, doesn’t let the fact she is younger than many of her opponents intimidate her.
“It can be tough at times because they can be so much taller and stronger than you at times, but I’m pretty tall myself so it balances itself.”
Myer coach Dave Shaw tipped his cap to Weinert.
“She just killed us. She must have had 10 offensive rebounds,” Shaw said. “That hustle and the push they got (from her) was the difference.”
Flyers coach Brian MacIssac gushed with superlatives when asked about his young star.
“It’s just unbelievable. Her anticipation and nose for the ball is something that is rare,” he said. “I haven’t see a player in a long time, if ever, who has been able to get offensive rebounds.
“Down the stretch, she finished a couple of baskets that were tough shots.”
MacIssac can only dream how good Weinert will be with some experience under her belt.
“He potential is unlimited. You can see that she doesn’t get tired. She can run all night and she has good basketball skills.”
The Flyers led 28-20 at the half and 44-35 after three quarters.
The Flyers have not allowed themselves to think about the championship until they qualified for Friday’s final.
“Now we’re going all in,” Weinert said. “We have it all going now. We have the PA day to prepare.
“We’re ready.”
The Flyers topped the Bulldogs earlier this season, but Sir Winston was missing star player Kaley DeMont.
“That (win) has no relevance to tomorrow,” MacIssac said. “We’re going to be in another tough match. Both teams had to go to the wire. The kids played a lot of minutes tonight and there could be some fatigue.
“We’ll try and bring our best game and I’m sure Sir Winston will bring their best game. It should be a great matchup.”
STATS PACK
Flyers 58 Marauders 46
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game: Eden’s Madalyn Weinert with 18 points and a dominating performance on the boards.
For the Eden Flyers: Weinert 18; Mackenzie Schroeder 13; Avery Cushing 9; Erika Rouse 6; Hayley Gilbert 5; Camryn Bagshaw 4; Beth deBoer 3.
For the A.N. Myer Marauders: Tori Rigas-DiDomanico 17; Emily Braun 9; Molly Taylor 8; Sarah Elkayed 4; Vienna 4; Rosie Tait 2.
CONSOLATION ROUND
Patriots 40 Eagles 33
Livia Piccirillo scored 16 points to pace the Saint Paul Patriots past the Grimsby Eagles to advance to the consolation final versus the Denis Morris Reds.
“We knew we would be facing some pretty outstanding teams so our mission was to play our best game,” Pats coach Kristen MacDonald said. “We haven’t been successful yet it season so we’re just looking for that kind of game.”
The Pats will be taking on the Denis Morris Reds. The teams have yet to play this season.
“We’re looking forward to the final,” MacDonald said.
Also scoring for the Patriots were: Keira Federinko 10; Julia Savoie 4; Emily Semark 4; Julianna Fabiano 3; Julia Garisto 2; Angeline Galati 2.
Scoring for the Eagles were: Lauren Nugent 8; Asha-Lee Crooks 8; Madelyn Strongitharm 7; Trinity McMurtry 4; Maddy Reed 4; Emma Tracey 2.
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