Simcoe tops Grimsby in hoops opener
Jamie Addy (4) scored 18 points to lead the Governor Simcoe Redcoats to a 58-14 victory over the visiting Grimsby Eagles.
The Governor Simcoe Redcoats varsity girls basketball team returned to the floor Tuesday after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were nervous and excited but it was a good mix,” said Redcoat guard Jamie Addy, after leading her team to a 58-14 victory over the visiting Grimsby Eagles in Niagara Region High School Athletic Association play.
“We hadn’t played a game in two and a half years — no one has — and we were just excited to get back on the court.”
The Grade 11 student was thrilled to return to action.
“It is so nice to be back,” the 16-year-old said. “It is like my second home and I am used to playing here for Simcoe.”
She was disappointed when her Grade 10 hoops season was canceled by COVID.
“It was tough because it was my last year playing with my sister (Ally) and my cousin (Mia Friesen). It sucked but we are doing better than ever right now and we’re a good team.”
She did manage to find basketball to play during the pandemic.
“I had practices in Pelham and with Juel throughout it and then I was mostly outside on my court in the backyard with Ally.”
But nothing beats playing for your high school.
“It is very important because it is four days a week,” Addy said. “It’s good training and it’s good to get to know a bunch of other girls and help bring them all together.”
She is looking forward to playing with Simcoe this season.
“We have a bunch of Grade 9s and 10s who could be amazing and it is a great group of girls. I am so excited.”
Simcoe head coach John Ingribelli, who is assisted by Jill Stiefelmeyer and Scott Madole, is delighted to have Addy on his team and not just because of her scoring and court vision.
“Jamie has become a leader and we love her to death,” he said. “She is great with the kids who are very inexperienced. She is telling kids where to go and how to move on the floor. We have made Jamie our team captain for those particular reasons. She is great to work with in practice and she works very, very hard.”
Simcoe girls basketball has emerged from the pandemic in a healthy state.
“We had 15 girls try out, we kept 13 and we are dressing 10. The other ones are Grade 9 girls,” Stiefelmeyer said. “That is really good for us. We had a good turnout and we are very happy with the numbers we got this year after being off for two years.”
The future looks bright for the Redcoats.
“We have a young team which is great and we only lose one girl next year,” she said. “We will be able to build upon this as we move along.”
Stiefelmeyer has seen a lot of commitment and excitement from the players on the team.
“They have been here for our early practices and late practices,” she said. “Some of them are working but they have changed their schedules so they can play.”
Basketball is also healthy at Grimsby. The school is running a junior program and has 10 girls on it senior squad.
“We have some great numbers and a really good group here with lots of travel players and a lot of them play together outside of school,” said Holly Miller, who is coaching the team along with Sarah Bach. “I am very optimistic and I think we will have a great year.”
Grimsby got plenty of good looks in the game but not much fell for the visitors. Governor Simcoe built quarter leads of 15-1, 37-11 and 50-12 en route to the season-opening victory.
Redcoats 58 Eagles 14
BPSN Star of the Game: Governor Simcoe’s Jamie Addy with 18 points.
For the Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Addy 18; Brianna Peters 13; Keira Teske 12; Briar Rogers 4; Abigail Ravazzolo 3; Alexa Dryce 3; Madison Hollingsworth 2; Emma Fugard 2; Bryanna Morales 1.
For the Grimsby Eagles: Hannah Wade 4; Opal Silverthorne 4; Emily Gebel 2; Riley McBride 2.
