Juel teams combine for 7-2 weekend record
The Niagara Juel girls basketball team evened its league record at 4-4 this past weekend by winning two off three games at home.
Niagara defeated the Durham City Chameleons 109-27 and the Tri-County Soldiers 71-68 before falling 88-52 to the Hamilton Yellow Jackets.
Against Durham City, Niagara built quarter leads of 26-9, 59-13 and 85-20.
“Our first game we just dominated from start to finish and we just executed really well on both ends of the floor,” Niagara head coach Si Khounviseth said.
Top scorers for Niagara against the Chameleons were: Alena Tepsic (Saltfleet) with 21 points and six rebounds; Shania Hintenberger (Lakeshore Catholic) with 16 points; Reese Bolibruck (West Niagara) with 13 points; Lita Sutor (Blessed Trinity) with 11 points and six rebounds; and, Keira Teske (Governor Simcoe) with 10 points.
In the win over Tri-County, Niagara trailed 40-34 at the half and 58-47 after three quarters before rallying for the win.
“The second game started slow for us and we got behind early but continued to work and compete and really got our game going in the fourth quarter. We managed to sneak one out. We need to be better in how we start games,” he said.
Leading the way versus Tri-County were: Bolibruck with 16 points and five rebounds; Emma Vendittelli (A.N. Myer) with 13 points and seven boards; Sutor with 10 points; Shorleigh Burrows (Eden) with seven points; and, Teske with six points and five rebounds.
In the loss to Hamilton, Niagara faced quarter deficits of 31-8, 52-28 and 73-43.
“We should be happy going 2-1 and losing to the top team but it’s how we played in the last game that really stung. We did not show up and compete to start the game and it showed. Going down 31-8 to start the game just took energy from us that we could not come back from. It was very disappointing given how we played them last time in their home court,” Khounviseth said. “We will continue to work and get better. We can see progress and we will continue to improve.”
JUEL PREP
The Niagara Juel Prep (7-1) went 2-1 last weekend, defeating the Brampton Warriors 93-37, losing 69-63 to the Tri-County Soldiers and beating Hamilton Transway 74-56.
“This weekend, the Juel Prep girls went 2-1, earning two well-deserved wins through strong communication and adaptability. It was great to see the entire team contribute,” head coach Chris Moscato said. “We faced our first loss of the season against Tri-County, who played stronger and outperformed us. Looking ahead, we’re excited for the upcoming games and next month’s U.S. tournament.”
In the victory over Brampton, Niagara built quarter leads of 27-12, 48-20 and 73-27.
Top performers for Niagara were: Talia Hultink (Smithville Christian) with 18 points; Kate Ferras (Assumption College) with 13 points and eight rebounds; Camilla Moscato (Notre Dame) with 12 points; Ava Walker (A.N. Myer) with 10 points; and, Lyla Rodrique (Centennial) with nine points and five rebounds.
Versus Tri-County, Niagara led 13-10 after one quarter and 52-50 after three quarters but couldn’t hold on for the win.
Leading the way for Niagara were: Hultink with 15 points and eight rebounds; Rodrique with 11 points and 10 rebounds: Moscato and Ferras with eight points and eight rebounds each; and, Brooklyn Turner (Blessed Trinity) with eight points.
Against Transway, Niagara built quarter leads of 20-15, 33-30 and 54-43.
Playing well for Niagara were: Walker with 14 points; Jaylen Stienstra with 12 points; Kate Kolbinson (Port Colborne) with 11 points and 11 rebounds; Ferras with 10 points and five rebounds; Hultink with nine points and six boards; and, Moscato with eight points and 10 rebounds.
JUEL ACADEMY
Niagara’s Juel Academy team improved its league record to 8-1 last weekend at home by defeating Halton Region (44-36), Tri-County Soldiers (46-44) and the Sudbury Jam (57-40).
“Great weekend for the girls. Our wins were good team efforts on and off the bench,” assistant coach Chloe Peters said. “A huge focus right now is having energy going into games whether you’re on the bench or on the court and that’s something that’s really improving.”
Against Halton, Niagara trailed 9-8 after one quarter before building quarter leads of 25-17 and 37-27.
Performing well for Niagara were: Makayla Scott-Bush with 23 points and 16 rebounds; Evie Haine with nine points and five rebounds; Grace Redmond with four points; Tessa Bailey with three points; and, Brooklyn Zarowny with nine rebounds.
In the game versus Tri-County, Niagara faced quarter deficits of 13-12, 25-23 and 37-30 before rallying for the victory.
Leading the way for Niagara were: Scott-Bush with 20 points and 18 rebounds; Haine with 11 points; Bailey with six points; and, Gabrielle Kissi and Milena Lucchetta with three points apiece.
Against Sudbury, Niagara built quarter advantages of 21-5, 34-25 and 38-34.
Topping the stat sheet for Niagara were: Scott-Bush with 22 points and 18 rebounds; Haine with nine points; Bailey with eight points; and, Shaunessey Burrows with seven points.
