Phoenix ground Golden Eagles in consolation final
Rozlyn Ciocca got her wish to go out on top.
The 16-year-old, Grade 12 student turned in a top notch effort all week to help the Saint Francis Phoenix to a consolation title at the Fourth Annual BPSN Girls Basketball Tournament.
Ciocca scored 10 points Friday to give her 33 for the week as the Phoenix defeated the Thorold Golden Eagles 49-30 in the consolation final played at the St. Catharines Collegiate.
“It was just amazing. Especially being in Grade 12, I wanted to go out with a bang because I’m not playing travel this year,” she said. “This is my last, you know, fun.”
Ciocca, who is giving up travel ball — she previously played Juel Prep and Pelham Panthers — to concentrate on her studies, is a natural leader.
“I just like to make the team work together,” she said. “I don’t really care to make the most baskets or anything. I just care to contribute to the team and I just want to see everyone happy, I just want to make sure everyone’s having a fun, especially in my last season.”
Ciocca felt having fun was the key to the Phoenix’ success this week.
“We took it seriously, but we just went out and had fun and that’s how we got our points. We’re very team based so it was nice. I think every single person that played today got a basket or two.”
Phoenix coach Rachel Bufalino is a big fan of Ciocca.
“She’s a great player, but also a leader,” Bufalino said. “Even last year when she was a Grade 11, she knew when to step up, she knew how to communicate with the girls. She was very good at vocalizing where everybody should be, and she does a really good job of knowing when to slow down.
“She’s a great leader on the court. We can really always count on her.”
The Phoenix dropped their opening game of the tournament to E.L. Crossley, then re-focused their sights on the consolation title.
“Honestly, it’s great. It’s a great feeling,” Bufalino said. “Not even just like for the girls, but honestly, for myself as well. I could not be more proud of them and how hard of a start it was for us. Crossley, they’re great team, so coming to the consolation side, we had high hopes.
“This is a huge confidence booster. I’m so proud of the girls for everything. They worked together, they weren’t selfish. Everybody worked together and they did a really good job.”
Bufalino can’t wait to take the championship trophy to school next week.
“It’s definitely (going) in our trophy case,” she said. “It’s definitely good to add a girls trophy.”
Thorold coach Andrew Thomson loved how his club progressed throughout the week.
“Very happy. We wanted to get better every game and this tournament’s been huge for us,” he said. “I feel a lot better coming out of it than I did going in and that’s one of the main objectives.
“We threw a lot of different looks at the girls and some of them were really inexperienced and they did really well considering we were changing on the fly.”
STATS PACK
Phoenix 49 Golden Eagles 30
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Saint Francis guard Rozlyn Ciocca.
For the Saint Francis Phoenix: Alicia Kryzanowski 13; Kaylee Giesbrecht 12; Rozlyn Ciocca 10; Riyanna Chahoud 10
For the Thorold Golden Eagles: Kaydence Hales 25; Marissa Hall 3; Layla Gallant 2; Kylie Ryall 2.
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, the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Joe Feta’s and the University of Niagara Falls Canada.
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