BPSN Girls Basketball Tourney starts Tuesday
Bragging rights are on the line when the Third Annual BPSN Girls Basketball Tournament kicks off at four schools on Tuesday.
First-round games include: Eden vs. Saint Michael’s at Eden at 1:40 p.m.; Sir Winston Churchill vs. Thorold at Eden at 3:10 p.m.; Holy Cross vs. Saint Francis at Holy Cross at 1:10 p.m.; Blessed Trinity vs. E.L.. Crossley at Holy Cross at 2:40 p.m.; Governor Simcoe vs. Denis Morris at Governor Simcoe at 1:10 p.m.; Notre Dame vs. Centennial at Governor Simcoe at 2:40 p.m; Myer vs. St. Jean de Brebeuf at A.N. Myer at 1:30 p.m.; and, Saint Paul vs. West Niagara at A.N. Myer at 3 p.m.
“We are looking forward to the latest edition of the BPSN Girls Basketball Tournament,” tournament chair Jill Stiefelmeyer said. “It may be early in the season but we expect excellent competition.”
Round 2 games will be contested Wednesday at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Sir Winston Churchill and Governor Simcoe before semifinal action Thursday at Simcoe. Consolation semifinals will be played at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and championship semifinals are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Championship night will be staged at Governor Simcoe with the consolation final set for 6 p.m. and the championship final scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Below are brief profiles of the 16 competing teams.
A.N. MYER MARAUDERS
Returning players: Nine.
Last season: Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association finalists.
Key returning players: Mya Pierini, Carly Casciano, Maia Walker, Emma Vendittelli, Jenna Saddler and Sophia Kotsanis.
Key newcomers: Ava Walker, Vianna Vischer and Elizabeth Cook.
Strengths: Speed and defence.
Weakness: Size.
Coaches: Kate Harpur, Dave Shaw, Ryan Zapata and Mike Young.
BLESSED TRINTY THUNDER
Returning players: Nine.
Key returning player: Maggie Vukojev.
Coaches: Gabe Diadamo and Sara Tritchew.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
Returning players: Three.
Last season: Played in development league.
Key returning players: Victoria Kim, Sarah Maguire and Emma Sauer.
Key newcomers: Easton Fournier and Caitlyn Wade.
Strengths: Hard work and teamwork.
Weakness: Lack of big game experience.
Coaches: Craig Maltais and Kelly Spiers.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
Returning players: Three.
Last season: Team was winless.
Key returning players: Jenna Berry and Aeryonah St. Amand-Thomas
Key newcomer: Sofia Sestilli.
Strengths: Camaraderie.
Weakness: Closing games.
Coaches: Kevin O’Rourke and George Berry.
EDEN FLYERS
Returning players: Five.
Last season: Zone champs; 14-7 record.
Key returning players: Ashlynn Caverly, Madelaine Templeman and Annika Rigby.
Key newcomers: Shorleigh Burrows and Kate de Vries.
Strength: High energy team.
Weakness: Injuries sustained during summer sports are significantly impacting anticipated lineup.
Coaches: Jonathon Thorpe, Brian MacIsaac, Miranda Ross and Shelby Lambert.
E.L. CROSSLEY CYCLONE
Returning players: Seven.
Key returning players: L’Jayah Simmonds and Amelia Silokowsky.
Key newcomers: Addie Flardeau, Katie Lyciani and Leah Waselovich.
Strengths: Team play and depth.
Weakness: Young team.
Coaches: Aaron Belding, Kyle Smith and Ryan Petro.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE REDCOATS
Returning players: Eight.
Last season: Team was competitive and won all first-round games in the three tourneys it participated in.
Key returning players: Keira Teske, Abby Ravazzola and Taliyah Washington.
Key newcomer: Josie Joyce.
Strengths: Hard working and coachable.
Weakness: Lack of experience.
Coaches: John Ingribelli and Jill Stiefelmeyer.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS
Returning players: Three.
Key returning players: Mairead Newhouse, Tessa Vahrmeyer and Claire Martires.
Key newcomers: Maddy McCready and Leah Briscall.
Strength: Senior leadership; athleticism; and, basketball experience of incoming players.
Coach: Erin Gauthier.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Returning players: Nine.
Key returning players: All the Grade 11 and 12s on the team.
Key newcomers: Camilla Moscato and Ava Briggs
Strengths: Quickness; young and athletic.
Weaknesses: Size and rebounding.
Coaches: Loris Lucchetta and Kristen Dean.
SAINT FRANCIS PHOENIX
Returning players: Six.
Last season: BPSN consolation champion and Niagara Catholic Athletic Association AA finalist.
Key returning players: Kyla Plyipiw, Rozlyn Ciocca and Riyanna Chahoud.
Key newcomer: Kaylee Giesbrecht.
Strengths: Speed and defence.
Weakness: Young squad with only four seniors.
Coaches: Rachel Bufalino, Ava Hitchcock, Andria Lucchetta.
SAINT-JEAN-DE-BREBEUF LYNX
Returning players: Three.
Last season: Zone single A champions.
Key returning player: Isabelle Roberge.
Key newcomers: Harmony Stifter-Schaeffer and Genevieve Fry.
Strengths: Athleticism and speed.
Weaknesses: Shooting and experience.
Coaches: Justine Mete and Sophie Vaillancourt.
SAINT MICHAEL MUSTANGS
Returning players: Five.
Last season: 1-7 record.
Key returning players: Ava Baille Pendzinski and Brianna DiMarchi.
Strength: Ball movement.
Weakness: Outside scoring.
Coaches: Alex Felicetti and Tanya Paladino.
SAINT PAUL PATRIOTS
Key returning players: Sam Dino and Michaela Carbonara.
Coaches: Kathy Carter and Michael Doodeman.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
Returning players: Four.
Last season: Won Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations AA gold medal
Key returning players: Kate Smyth, Anya Namestnik, Morgan Barker and Kiera Pink/
Key newcomers: Sarah Hardy, Norah Hoff, Mya Pupek and Sydney Jones.
Strengths: Very deep roster; athletic; big and experienced at the high school level.
Weakness: Lack of outside scoring the three.
Coaches: Frank Keltos and Adam Onclin
THOROLD GOLDEN EAGLES
Returning players: Six.
Last season: 500 during the season and tournament play.
Key returning players: Tiana Hicks, Portia Watts, Ashley Mayhew and Anna Hammond.
Key newcomer: Kaydence Hales.
Strengths: Athletic and fast.
Weaknesses: Lack of basketball experience outside of school.
Coaches: Andrew Thomson and Josh Hales.
WEST NIAGARA WOLFPACK
Returning players: Three or four.
Last season: 5-5 in regular season play.
Key returning players: Maggie Heeringa and Peyton Ransom.
Key newcomers: Ireland Hamilton and Coco Van Nynatten.
Strengths: Positive attitude and team spirit.
Weakness: Lacking experience.
Coaches: Holly Miller and Sarah Bach.
The tournament is made possible with the help of Women Networking in Sports of Niagara, Tora Inc., Regional Doors and Hardware, Bromac Construction Inc., the Brock women’s basketball program, Alltech Automotive, St. Catharines CYO Basketball, Pelham Panthers basketball, Niagara Falls Red Raiders basketball, Niagara Rangers basketball, the Niagara District Referees Association, the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board.
