Niagara Juel Prep a perfect 5-0
The Niagara Juel basketball team returned from the Christmas break with a winless week in Hamilton against tough competition.
Niagara lost 61-50 to the Ottawa Capitals, 70-57 to the Hamilton Yellow Jackets and 56-42 to the London Ramblers.
“Not the results we were looking for but very encouraged by the weekend. Always tough to come back after the Christmas break,” Niagara head coach Si Khounviseth said. “It was a tough weekend as we were facing what I believe are the top three teams in the league.
Against London, Niagara faced quarter deficits of 18-9, 32-20 and 47-33. Top performers for Niagara were: Lita Sutor (Blessed Trinity) with 15 points; Emma Vendittelli (A.N. Myer) with nine points; Keira Teske (Governor Simcoe) with five points and five boards; and, Shorleigh Burrows (Eden) with five points.
“I thought we had really built some good momentum after the first weekend and thought our first game was just a lack of focus from us. We had effort but just did a poor job of competing and execution,” he said. “We managed to stay in the game but if you said to me we would be out rebounded 64-36 and only lose by 11, I would have not believed you.”
In the loss to Hamilton, Niagara trailed 15-13, 33-26 and 56-44 at the end of each of the first three quarters. Leading the way for Niagara were: Shania Hintenberger (Lakeshore Catholic) with 11 points; Reese Bolibruck (West Niagara) with nine points; Burrows and Ava Briggs (Notre Dame) with six points; Sutor with five points and seven rebounds; and, Alena Tepsic (Saltfleet), Vendittelli and Kate DeVries (Eden) with five points.
“We had a good response to what we think is the No. 1 team in the second game. I thought we competed and outplayed them for most of the game. Their two big kids just took advantage of their size. We will need to figure out how to negate that down the road,” Khounviseth said.
Against London, Niagara had to battle back from quarter of 19-15, 29-28 and 41-35. Topping the stat sheet for Niagara were: Teske with 10 points and eight rebounds; Sutor with nine points and five rebounds; and, Diana Kastenka (Bishop Ryan) with five points.
“The third game I thought was our best and we outplayed them, but poor shooting and missed layups really hurt us, and their timely shooting was the difference. We had multiple open looks that you want and just did not convert,” he said. “The defence was outstanding and the ball movement was what we were looking for. We just did not finish. We will be better now that we are in the stretch of consistent practise as we continue to work on playing as a team. The coaches and I were very encouraged by our last two games of the weekend.”
Niagara is now 2-3 on the season.
JUEL PREP UNBEATEN
The Niagara Juel Prep squad pushed its league record to 5-0 by defeating the Ottawa Capitals 52-39, Hamilton Transway 61-50 and the London Ramblers 61-56.
“This weekend, the U16 JUEL Prep team showcased their competitive spirit and determination during a series of three challenging games. The girls worked tirelessly to maintain momentum and steady composure across all matchups, demonstrating great play and teamwork throughout,” Niagara head coach Chris Moscato said. “As a newer team, their growth and dedication were evident on the court. Looking ahead, the team remains focused and committed to improvement as they prepare for their next big test on Feb. 1 in Welland.”
Against Ottawa, Niagara trailed 15-9 in the first quarter but took control of the game by outscoring the Capitals 18-2 in the second. Leading the way for Niagara were: Kate Kolbinson (Port Colborne) with 14 points; Talia Hultink (Smithville Christian) with 13 points and seven rebounds; Lila Rodrique (Centennial) with nine points; and, Camilla Moscato with six points and six rebounds.
In the win over Transway, Niagara built quarter leads of 13-8, 32-17 and 52-38. Powering Niagara to the victory were: Rodrique and Moscato with 13 points; Ava Walker (A.N. Myer) with seven points and five rebounds; and, Hultink with six points and seven rebounds.
In the win against the London Ramblers, Niagara trailed 13-8 after one quarter but led 26-23 at the half and 35-31 after three quarters. Playing well for Niagara were: Talia Hultink (Smithille Christian) with 13 points and seven rebounds; Walker with 15 points; Lila Rodrique with 12 points; Moscato with 10 points and 11 rebounds; Kate Ferras (Assumption College) with seven points; and, Hultink with five points.
JUEL ACADEMY TAKES TWO OF THREE
Niagara’s Juel Academy team pushed its league record to 5-1 by going 2-1 in Hamilton last weekend.
Niagara lost 54-43 to the London Ramblers and defeated the Ottawa Capitals 47-27 and Hamilton Transway 50-49.
“The team had a great effort overall. They fought back after a loss and gave it their all,” Niagara head coach Charles Kissi said.
Against Ottawa, Niagara faced quarter deficits of 14-7, 28-23 and 44-33. Leading the way for Niagara were: Makayla Scott-Bush with 20 points and nine boards; Isabella Deliyannis with six points; and, Tessa Bailey with four points.
In the win over Ottawa, Niagara built quarter leads of 6-4, 20-10 and 36-18. Performing well for Niagara were: Scott-Bush with 26 points and 11 rebounds; Olivia Knack with five points; and, Bailey and Gabrielle Kissi with four points.
Against Transway, Niagara fell behind 10-9 after one quarter and led 33-27 at the half. It went into the final quarter trailing 45-40. Topping the stat sheet for Niagara were: Scott-Bush with 24 points and 15 rebounds; Milena Lucchetta with 11 points; Kissi with six points; and, Bailey with five points.
