Cyclone blow away Bulldogs
The E.L. Crossley Cyclone finally got over the hump and did so in convincing fashion.
The Cyclone raced out to a 20-2 lead after one quarter en route to a 49-27 win over the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs to capture the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) senior girls AA basketball championship Thursday on their home court.
The Cyclone, who now advance to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships in North Bay next week, put an end to the Bulldogs three-year medal run at OFSAA that saw them earn AA bronze in 2023, AA gold in 2022 and AAA bronze in 2021.
“I’m ecstatic,” Crossley coach Aaron Belding said. “It was a good game.”
Crossley guard Leah Waselovich, who led her squad with 17 points, four rebounds, six assists and five blocks, was equally as giddy.
“It feels amazing,” said Waselovich, a 16-year-old, Grade 11 student. “We just talked about keeping our intensity up, running what we’ve been practising all week. We’ve been preparing for this for a long time. So we just put everything we had out on the court. We just wanted to keep our intensity up.”
Belding said the quick start was by design.
“It was imperative that we got off to an early lead like that, especially after we played them in the BPSN finals,” he said. “They did the exact same thing to us then. We talked about, we have to come out and we have to set the tone, we have to set the intensity, and we have to score.
“So, getting off to a good lead like that takes the nerves, settles all the nerves on the team. Everybody just is able to relax and then play the game plan that we’ve set out.”
Belding felt it was important to keep the pedal to the metal after the quick start.
“It wasn’t back off,” he said. “We have to keep the same defensive intensity. We have to keep pushing to cause them to keep continuing to make the turnovers. And then we have to take advantage of the transition and make sure that when we have to set up the offence, we’re getting a good take or a look at the net and finish it.”
Waselovich said the early lead put the onus on the Bulldogs.
“It takes so much pressure off our backs and it keeps us confident, our confidence was key today,” she said. “Just stay confident, keep the intensity, have good energy, just keep everybody just happy and work the ball around.”
Waselovich was at her best early, knocking down 13 in the first quarter.
“It felt good,” she smiled. “It felt like a lot of weight lifted off my back too. I was nervous, but once I get a couple points in me it felt good.”
Belding said the team will convene early next week to map out their strategy for OFSAA.
“We will talk next week and to figure out what mindset we need to be coming in with and where we go,” he said.
Waselovich can’t wait to get started.
“I think we’re all so stoked that we even got there. “We’re all so excited and that was our main goal but if we get a medal that would make it even better, but whatever happens, happens.”
Churchill coach Frank Keltos was understandably disappointed.
“They came out hot and we didn’t have our composure at all,” he said. “We kind of got back into it in the second quarter and then we came out super flat. I was a little disappointed in our effort coming out knowing that we were really just six possessions away from tying the game. It’s like we didn’t want as bad as they did.
“They did a lot of good things that give them credit. They made shots.”
Semifinals
Cyclone 37 Dundas Valley 25
Addie Falardeau netted 11 as Crossley held off the Dundas Valley Gryphons.
Waselovich added six for the winners while Claire Piekny and Katie Luciani added five each.
Bulldogs 48 Gators 38
Addison Torigian scored 15 to lead as the Bulldogs rallied past the Zone 2 champion Lakeshore Catholic Gators by 10.
Anya Namestnik added 13 and Norah Hoff eight for SWC.
Addison Thornton had 11 and Shania Hintenberger 10 for the Gators, who suffered their first loss of the season after nine wins.
STATS PACK
Cyclone 49 Bulldogs 27
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Crossley’s Leah Waselovich with 17 points, four rebounds, six assists and five blocks.
E.L. Crossley Cyclone: Waselovich 17; Katie Luciani 11; Amelia Siolkowsky 11.
Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs: Norah Hoff 7; Anya Namestnik 6; Addison Torigian 5.
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