Big Mac attack leads Flyers
There’s no such thing as half-speed for Mackenzie Schroeder.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 guard goes all out, all the time, whether it’s running the offence, driving the hoop, or playing defence.
Schroeder was at her best Wednesday in all three aspects as the Eden Flyers defeated the Governor Simcoe Redcoats 56-22 in a quarter-final game at the 19th Annual Standard Girls Basketball Tournament.
“She just never stops,” Eden coach Brian MacIssac said. “Sometimes she forces the action a little bit, but you have to love the effort and the passion she has for playing basketball.”
MacIssac has noticed Schroeder has matured as a player as well.
“She was always so hard on herself and now she has let that go a little and she just plays,” he said.
MacIssac has even more good things to say about Schroeder off the court.
“She’s such a good kid. It’s my fourth year coaching her and it’s been an absolute pleasure,” he said. “The thing I love about Mackenzie is she always comes after a game or practice and says, ‘Thank you, coach.’ It’s so nice to hear that, every time.”
Schroeder appreciates being thought of as a leader and go-to player.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s confidence. You always have to think positive and not get down on yourself.
“I just try to be a leader on the court and encourage everyone and pass and if people need help, tell them what to do.”
The No. 1 seed Flyers are now halfway home to their goal of a championship, but have been careful not to get ahead of themselves this week and start dreaming of Friday night.
“It’s game to game for sure,” said Schroeder, a member of the Niagara Rangers under-19 team. “Just work hard and play as a team. Take it one step at a time, I guess.
“It’s really important. That’s the mindset you need. You can’t expect to go to the finals right away or it may not go in your favour. We just need to keep doing what we do best and knowing what to do to our best potential.”
MacIssac feels his club is peaking at the right time.
“Right now, I love how we’re playing,” he said. “We’re so unselfish. We’re all willing to make an extra pass to get an easier shot. We have really good possessions after really good possessions.
“The other thing we’re doing really well is offensive rebounding. We’re creating extra possessions and that’s obviously very important.”
STATS PACK
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game: Mackenzie Schroeder with eight points.
For the Eden Flyers: Schroeder 8; Beth deBoer 19; Madalyn Weinert 11; Avery Cushing 9; Erika Rouse 4; Hayley Gilbert 3; Lauren Vahrmeyer 2.
For the Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Jennika McIntosh 7; Allison Addy 5; Mia Friesen 4; Isabelle Newkirk 2; Taylor Chira 2.
CONSOLATION ROUND
Reds 40 Raiders 33
Jordyn Britton poured in 16 points to lead the Denis Morris Reds past the Holy Cross Raiders in a consolation round quarter-final game.
Also scoring for DM were: Lexus Bell 11; Cayla Mirabella 5; Rayshell Nyaekye 4; Haijya Kwinecki 2; Victoria Kaufmann 2.
Scoring for the Raiders: Maddie Caughill 12; Caleigh Cunningham 6; Ally Dyck 5; Logan Brown 4; Indy DeGroot 3; Sarah O’Rourke 3.
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