Fourth Annual BPSN Tourney starts Tuesday
A pre-Thanksgiving tradition continues this week as 16 teams vie for the title at the Fourth Annual BPSN Girls Basketball Tournament.
The tournament starts Tuesday at Sir Winston Churchill, Governor Simcoe and Eden before switching to Ridley College on Wednesday and Thursday. Consolation and championship quarter-finals and semifinals will be contested at Ridley College at 3, 4:30., 6 and 7:30 p.m. before the tournament concludes with championship night at St. Catharines Collegiate on Friday. The consolation final will be played at 6 p.m. followed by the championship final at 7:30 p.m.
Below are brief profiles of the teams.
A.N. MYER MARAUDERS
Number of returning players: Nine.
Key returnees: Emma Vendittelli, Ava Walker and Maia Walker.
Key newcomers: Maggie Mannell and Vianna Visscher.
Strength: Speed.
Weakness: Lack of size.
BLESSED TRINITY THUNDER
Number of returning players: 11.
Key returnees: Alana Meester, Avery Whaling, Maria DiFlavio, Teaghan Fraser, Jaylen Stienstra and Brooklyn Turner.
Strengths: Ball movement; scoring.
Weaknesses: Team defence; pace of play.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returnees: Nevaeh Deroy, Cadence Hooidveld, Lyla Rodrigue and Caitlyn Wade.
Key newcomers: McKenna Montague, Airalyn Honsberger and Taylor Breton.
Strength: Sharing the ball.
Weakness: Lack of size.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
Number of returning players: Six.
Key returnees: Tessa Pingue, Sofia Sestili, Jamie Kamendy and Nevaeh Jones.
Key newcomer: Shekinah Soji.
Strengths: Young team with a lot of hustle and effort.
Weakness: Scoring.
EDEN FLYERS
Key returnees: Shorleigh Burrows and Kate de Vries.
Key newcomers: Ella McMaster, Adali Cavicchia and Adelaide Dearborn.
Strengths: Skilled team with a couple of players who can take over a game at any time.
Weaknesses: Very young with no Grade 12s on roster and a little undersized.
E.L. CROSSLEY CYCLONE
Key returnees: Addie Falardeau, Amelia Siolkowsky, Leah Waselovich and Katie Luciani.
Key newcomers: Helena Siolkowsky and Clair Piekny.
Strengths: Team play and depth.
Weakness: Inconsistency.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE REDCOATS
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returnees: Kiera Teske and Taliyah Washington.
Key newcomers: Bella Johnson and Josie Joyce.
Strengths: Good team speed and quickness.
Weaknesses: Lack of size and experience.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS
Number of returning players: Five.
Key returnees: Claire Martires and Leah Briscall.
Key newcomers: Grace Vani and Sara De Reparaz Pindado.
Strengths: Shooting; basketball IQ.
Weaknesses: Height; speed; depth.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Number of returning players: 10.
Key returnee: Nicole Dixon.
Key newcomer: Ava DeChellis.
Strength: Teamwork.
Weakness: Height.
RIDLEY COLLEGE TIGERS
Number of returning players: Eight.
Key returnees: Avery Katzman, Denise des Vignes and Nadia Trites.
Key newcomers: Coco Reynolds and Toni Osamiluyi.
Strength: Willing to take on all challenges and challengers to improve game experience.
Weakness: On the younger side and need the experience to match with other programs.
SAINT FRANCIS PHOENIX
Number of returning players: Six.
Key returnees: Kaylee Giesbrecht, Riyana Chahoud and Rozlyn Ciocca.
Key newcomers: Syenn Plylypiw and Kylie Ryall.
Strengths: Athleticism and defence.
Weaknesses: Height and experience.
SAINT-JEAN-DE-BREBEUF LYNX
Number of returning players: Five.
Key returnee: Genevieve Fry
Key newcomers: Kylie Duthie and Chloe MacKay.
Strengths: Athleticism; effort.
Weaknesses: Shooting; experience.
SAINT PAUL PATRIOTS
Number of returning players: Five.
Key returnees: Sam Dino and Meredith Marrie.
Key newcomers: Adrianna Saxby and lonpe Olusanya.
Strength: Athleticism.
Weakness: Height.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returnees: Anya Namestnik, Norah Hoff, Morgan Barker and Kiera Pink.
Key newcomers: Addi Torigan and Marlow Zekan.
Strengths: Experience and depth plus good size.
Weakness: Scoring the ball.
SMITHVILLE CHRISTIAN STORM
Number of returning players: None.
Strength: Team works hard.
Weaknesses: Lack of game understanding and confidence.
THOROLD GOLDEN EAGLES
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returnees: Kaydence Hales, Marissa Hahl and Keaira Austin.
Key newcomer: Charlee Rowland.
Strengths: Defence; height; coachable.
Weaknesses: Lacking club basketball experience and depth.
The tournament is made possible with the help of Women Networking in Sports of Niagara, Tora Inc., Ridley College, Alltech Automotive, St. Catharines CYO Basketball, Pelham Panthers basketball, Niagara Falls Red Raiders basketball, the Niagara District Referees Association, the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board.
