Poitras ends on a high note
Lexia Poitras made the most of her final high school basketball game in Niagara.
The Grade 12 student at Blessed Trinity scored a team-high 13 points Wednesday as her Team North (Zone 4) squad dropped a 73-47 decision to the South (Zone 3) in the top 20 game of the 15th Annual Girls All-Star Games played at St. Catharines Collegiate.
“It feels really good,” the 17-year-old Fonthill resident said. “We had to form a lot of chemistry really quickly and I think we worked well together.
“Considering I am in Grade 12 and this is my last year, it is a great way to finish.”
Poitras hit three threes in a game she described as bittersweet.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that it is over and it doesn’t feel like it,” said the member of the St. Catharines Rebels under-19 travel team. “It’s surreal.”
The former Pelham Panther, Niagara Ranger and Grimsby travel player lost her Grade 10 and 11 high school basketball seasons to a knee injury she suffered on the soccer field.
“It was really hard,” she said. “Watching my teammates play helped me stay in the game and made me want to get back on the court so much more. I worked so hard to get back out there because I love doing it.”
Basketball has been a labour of love for her at Blessed Trinity.
“I met so many people though this and made a lot of great friends and I learned a lot about playing new positions and working on the court,” Poitras said. “It has been a great experience.”
She is hoping Wednesday’s game is just another step along the way.
“I am not sure where I am going yet but I would love to keep playing basketball.”
Poitras is looking to take the University of Guelph/Humber College police program.
“I want to have a job that has lots of movement, lots of surprises and lots of action all at once,” she said, with a smile.
Also scoring for the North top 20 team were: Denis Morris’ Cayla Mirabella (7); St. Catharines Collegiate’s Trinity Taylor (6); Grimsby’s Madalyn Strongitharm (5), Heritage Christian’s Ruth VanDyke (4). Eden’s Julia McNeaney (3), Holy Cross’ Logan Brown (4), Thorold’s Bri Davidson (4); and, Sir Winston Churchill’s Raegan Emonds (1). St. Francis’ Rachel Bufalino played well but didn’t score.
Selected to the team but unable to play was Smithville District Christian’s Sophie Bezemer.
Coaches for the game were Frank Keltos from Sir Winston Churchill and Brian MacIsaac from Eden. A total of $650 in proceeds from the games were donated to Gillian’s Place.
