Host Patriots drop two at OFSAA (updated)

The host Saint Paul Catholic High School Patriots got off on the wrong foot at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) senior girls AA playdowns Thursday afternoon.

The No. 10 ranked Patriots dropped a 55-42 decision to seventh-ranked Lo-Ellen Park Knights of Sudbury.

“That was yo-yo game,” Saint Paul coach Kristen McDonald said. “We were down three, down 20. It’s shows good character that our team is willing to fight and claw our way back.

“It’s unfortunate that some of our shots didn’t land. Maybe that would have helped us claw our way back and then pull ahead.”

McDonald said the Patriots attempted to bring their A game, regardless of the competition.

“We’re still trying to peak as a team,” she said. “We’re still trying to bring it all together for one amazing game and we’re hoping that game will be here at home at OFSAA. We don’t know anything about these teams so we come and try and play our best game and hope that will do.”

The Pats had little time to rest with a game versus No. 3-ranked North Park of Brantford at 6:30.

“We’ve never had a tournament so these kids aren’t used to play multiple games in one day,” McDonald said. “Normally, you get a week to shove this one under the rug and re-set but we’ll just go home, take care of ourselves, and act like the next game is the first one.”

Despite the loss, McDonald has high hopes for her young squad going forward.

“Half of our starting lineup is Grade 9s and 10s so our program is looking great for the future,” she said. “When all is said and done, we’re glad our team got to compete at this level so that they can see what they’re capable of so next year we can hit the ground running.

“We are a great team and our potential is limitless at this point.”

One of those young players, Grade 9 guard Sam Dino, had a strong game with eight points.

Dino, who plays club ball at the NGBA Juel Prep level, was clearly noticeable on the court with her relentless energy and enthusiasm.

“I think it comes out of my personality of always wanting to win and not letting my opponent come out over top of me,” she said of her aggressive play.

Dino said the Pats attempted to make adjustments throughout the game against an opponent they have never seen.

“We watched how they played throughout the game and kind of figured it out and took the challenges head on,” she said. “If there was a problem, we would go to the bench and fix it.

“It’s really difficult but it shows the what kinds of players we are, that we never gave up. We have the chemistry on this team to have each other’s back no matter what.”

Dino said the school has been buzzing since word came down they were hosting OFSAA.

“We’ve been exciting since our coach told us the news. It’s been high energy throughout every single day trying to get prepared,” she said.

In their second game Friday, the Pats dropped a 50-18 decision to North Park.

Sam Dino led the way with seven points while Hanna Dino added six and Federinko 2.

Friday, the Patriots play Holy Cross of Peterborough (6) at 9 a.m. and Frontenac of Kingston (2) at 5 p.m.

Semifinals will be played Saturday at 9 a.m. at Saint Paul and Saint Michael. Both medal games will be contested at Saint Paul with the bronze-medal game going at 2 p.m. and the championship game at 3:30 p.m.

STATS PACK

Knights 55 Patriots 42

Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Saint Paul guard Sam Dino with eight points.

St. Paul Patriots: Dino 8; Keira Federinko 9; Michaela Cabonara 9.

Lo-Ellen Park Knights: Sophie Alexander 13; Elliot Tissot Van Patot 10.

By the quarter: The Knights led 19-11 after one quarter, 29-24 at the half and 46-31 after three quarters.

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