Marauders hold off pesky Raiders
The Holy Cross Raiders threw a scare into the A.N. Myer Marauders Tuesday, but nothing Tori Rigas-DiDomenico couldn’t handle.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 guard fired a game-high 27 points to lead the Marauders past the Raiders 60-43 at Denis Morris in an opening-round game of the 19th Annual Standard Girls Basketball Tournament.
“We played them before so we knew not to underestimate them so we fought hard to the end,” Rigas-DiDomenico said. “It was a little too close for comfort, but it worked out in the end.”
Rigas-DiDomenico figures such a close game can only help the defending champion Marauders as the week progresses and the competition gets even stiffer.
“This one, the speed was quicker and you have to be mentally tough knowing every point counts so you really have to think twice about each pass you make,” she said. “Each shot you take you want to run out the shot clock and not take too quick of a shot. We definitely talked about that on the bench.”
Rigas-DiDomenico is eager to see how the Marauders do in their attempt to repeat.
“That’s our goal this year,” she said. “Like with every game, you want to go out there and win.
“It would be great to do it two years in a row.”
Rigas-DiDomenico, who plays club ball with Niagara JUEL and also played in the summer for a club team in Buffalo, enjoys being one of the go-to offensive forces for the Marauders.
“I love it,” she said. “I just want to work hard getting to the ball as I do scoring. I want to do both.”
Myer coach Dave Shaw tipped his cap to the Raiders.
“We knew they were a tenacious team,” he said. “We had a week off last week so we’re just getting ourselves back into the flow again. The week off wasn’t the best thing as far as getting into a rhythm, but this was a good test to get started.
“The girls stepped up and finished when it mattered.”
Holy Cross coach Erin Gauthier was thrilled with the effort put forth by her club against the No. 4 seed.
“We had nothing to lose. We had already lost to this team by more than 20 at the St. Francis Tournament and they have a good team with some fantastic players and (I told them) to just go out and play our game and do the best you can,” she said.
Gauthier is hopeful the effort can carry over to Wednesday’s consolation matchup with Denis Morris.
“Hopefully they take this confidence into their next game,” Gauthier said. “I’m hoping it continues to build their confidence so they know they can shoot and play defence and rely on their teammates for help.”
STATS PACK
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game: Tori Rigas-DiDomenico with 27 points.
For the A.N. Myer Marauders: Rigas-DiDomenico 27; Emily Braun 11; Molly Taylor 10; Sarah Elkayed 6; Naomi Shad 4; Rosie Tait 1; Brianna Bishop 1.
For the Holy Cross Raiders: Paige Macoretta 13; Maddie Caughill 9; Sarah O’Rourke 8; Lauren Naccarato 7; I. DeGroot 2; L. Ward 2; C. Cunningham 2.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
