Bulldogs advance to SOSSA
Raegan Emonds represents a big piece of the future of the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student is in her second season playing with the senior team and is more than holding her own.
Emonds, in her first game back after suffering a mild concussion about three weeks ago, scored six points Monday to help the Bulldogs defeat the St. Francis Phoenix 49-30 in the Zone 4 AA senior girls basketball championship played before a packed house at St. Francis
The Bulldogs now advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary School Associations (SOSSA) playdowns Thursday which they are hosting. Sir Winston will play McKinnon Park of Hamilton at 10 a.m. in one semifinal. E.L. Crossley and Zone 2 winner meet at 11:30 a.m. with the final slated for 5 p.m.
Sir Winston coach Frank Keltos is a big fan of Emonds.
“She’s in Grade 10, but she likes to bang it up and cause a little bit of turmoil in there,” Keltos smiled. “She likes to rough it up, but she sets good screens and finishes well and she can also shoot three. She offers that which teams aren’t expecting.
“She’s going to be a really good player when she gets to Grade 12.”
Keltos doesn’t feel Emonds is in over her head at the senior level.
“She played senior last year and was successful and we’d never put a kid in a spot that’s not going to be successful for them. She’s strong enough and tough enough that she thrives on this.”
Emonds enjoys playing at the senior level, despite being one of the younger players.
“It’s good. I enjoy it a lot,” she said. “It’s nice to play against good players. I can learn from them and that can make me better.”
Emonds, who plays rep at the JUEL level, also enjoys suiting up aside the likes of Sir Winston stalwarts Kaley DeMont and Ally Sentance.
“They’re really good. I like playing with them and I learn a lot of stuff off of them,” she said.
The Bulldogs now have a chance to earn a SOSSA championship on their own court.
“I’m very excited we moved on,” Emonds said.
The Bulldogs led 17-7 after one quarter, 39-14 at the half and 46-18 after three quarters.
“We said Step 1 was to get through Eden. That was a really tough game and today we came out strong and scored,” Keltos said. “It was really good for us to get an early lead and keep on rolling.
“We’re trying to wear teams down. Thursday our first matchup is against McKinnon Park and we’re hoping to do the exact same thing to them so we can be in the final at 5.”
Stats Pack
Bulldogs 49 Phoenix 30
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Star of the Game: Sir Winston’s Raegan Emonds with six points off the bench.
Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs: Emonds 6; Kaley DeMont 19; Ally Sentance 9; Olivia Kryger 7; Ashley Harris 3; Megan Barker 2; Kennedy Millin 2; Emily Post 1.
St. Francis Phoenix: Teagan Orth 8; Ava Connar 8; Viktoria Cubelic 6; Grace Gill 5; Rachel Bufalino 3.
Up next: The SOSSA playdowns Thursday at Sir Winston. Semifinal games are at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with the winners meeting at 5 p.m. for the SOSSA title.
CYCLONES 54 MUSTANGS 36
Emily Bonisteel netted 22 points as the E.L. Crossley Cyclones advanced to the SOSSA AA senior girls basketball semifinals with a 54-36 victory over the Saint Michael Mustangs Monday in the Zone 3 AA final.
Also scoring for Crossley were Sydney Grummett (12), Tess Puchalski (6), Taryn Mitchell (5), Allison O’Connor (3), Emma Kulik (2), Martha Lirio (2) and Jenna Dobbie (2).
Replying for Saint Michael were Julie Manlow (15), Aliyah Glaze (11), Lauren Carter (5), Jayden Callahan (2), Brooke Steinschifter (2) and Maddy Rosella (1).
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
