Bulldogs top Flyers at opportune time

Game, set and match went to the Sir Winston Bulldogs senior girls basketball team Thursday.

After splitting the first four games it played this season with the Eden Flyers, the Bulldogs won the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 4 AA final with a wildly entertaining 55-46 victory.

Prior to Thursday’s game, Eden beat Churchill 68-49 to win the St. Francis tournament in mid-September, Churchill defeated Eden 47-41 Oct. 5 to capture the Standard tournament, Churchill dumped the Flyers 65-42 Oct. 13 in Tribune tournament final and then Eden won 58-38 in league play Oct. 22 to earn the right to host the zone final.

On Thursday, the Flyers led 18-13 after one quarter and 28-27 at the half before the Bulldogs went into the final quarter with a 42-36 advantage.

“It was a wonderful game and anybody who was in the crowd must have enjoyed that game,” Eden coach Brian MacIsaac. “It was a great bunch of kids on both sides going at it and playing at a high level and at high speed.

“If I wasn’t coaching and all uptight about the game I would have to love to sat there and watched it because it was very entertaining.”

Churchill head coach Frank Keltos agreed.

“It was an awesome game and I told the girls that they had to keep the pedal to the metal and just keeping pushing it,” he said.

The biggest difference in the game was Churchill’s depth, added by Grade 9 junior callups Kennedy Millin, Ella Turner and Megan Barker.

“The callups from the junior team make a huge difference for them,” MacIsaac said. “Being able to play another three players was the deciding factor in the game and I think it has been the deciding factor in all three times that we lost to them.

“They have plenty of good players, but adding another three tips the balance a little but in their favour.”

One of those good players for the Bulldogs is 5-foot-10, Grade 12 forward Olivia Nazar. The team co-captain does all the little things to help her team win.

“She has put four years into this team and she does everything; the little tips to keep the ball alive, rebounding, boxing out and today she had eight points,” Keltos said. “I am always thinking when can I get her back on. Every time I take her off, I am wondering who is going to rebound.”

Prior to the game, Nazar gave a speech to her teammates that Keltos said nearly brought him to tears.

“I told them that with me being in Grade 12, I didn’t care if we won or lost but if everyone to played as hard as they can and played like a team, that would make me very happy and it would end my season on a good note,” she said.

Nazar is more than happy to do all the dirty work for her team and let others get the glory.

“I enjoy that part of the game and I know I don’t score a lot of points, but I know my job and I love doing it,” she said. “I like to help out my teammates and if I can be a team player, I will take it.”

She also takes pride in being a leader and co-captain.

“Last year, I developed into more of a leader, but this year they look up to me more as a Grade 12 and I feel like I have to take on that role,” she said. “I try to lead them into being positive and playing as a team.”

STATS PACK

Bulldogs 55 Flyers 46

Mick and Angelo’s/Johnny Rocco’s Player of the Game: Eden’s Mackenzie Schroeder with 23 points.

For the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs: Kaley DeMont 17; Ally Sentance 12; Olivia Nazar 8; Kennedy Millin 5; Megan Barker 5; Olivia Krieger 4; Ella Turner 4.

For the Eden Flyers: Schroeder 23; Madalyn Weinert 8; Erika Rouse 8; Beth deBoer 5; Avery Cushing 2.

CYCLONES 31 GRYPHONS 28

The E.L. Crossley Cyclones defeated the previously unbeaten Greater Fort Erie Gryphons 31-28 Thursday in Fort Erie to win the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 3 AA senior girls basketball title.

The Cyclones led 9-8 after one quarter, were tied 17-17 at the half and then grabbed a 25-21 lead going into the final quarter.

Scoring for the Cyclones were Sydney Grummett (9), Emily Bonisteel (8), Tess Puchalski (5), Emma Kulik (3), Leah McIntee (2), Jenna Dobbie (2) and Martha Lirio (2),

Replying for Fort Erie, which went 9-0 in NRHSAA league play, were Megan Louws (16), Kaitlyn Gregory (7), Julianne Bowles (3) and Emily Patrick (2).