Saints stop Bucs
Wins and losses take a back seat to learning and development for the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints senior girls basketball team.
The Saints topped the Beamsville Bucs 29-15 in a Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association varsity girls basketball game Thursday, but head coach Adria Campbell isn’t caught up in stats and final scores.
“We’ve had a good year. Last year we used as a rebuilding year, not just for skill, but for morale,” said Campbell, who coaches the Saints with Allison Mauro. “The year before, they hadn’t won any games and had a lot of blowouts so they were feeling kind of down.”
The Saints moved to Tier 2, which has greatly aided in their development.
“That’s why we made the move from Tier 1, so we could develop skills more without the pressures of Tier 1,” Campbell continued. “After last year and feeling some success — we had about even wins and losses — this year we have a lot of the same girls back and they work really hard at practice and work really well as a team on the court and support each other.”
That teamwork, Campbell said, has been a key this season.
“I think in close games or in games where things aren’t starting the way they want, that really brings them together and that brings us a level of success,” she said. “We tell them we just want them to play just that little bit better than the last game.”
The Saints were led offensively by point guard Micailah Jones, who netted 17 points.
“I’m just here to pass the ball and make sure everyone gets a shot. I can lead. If anyone doesn’t know what to do, I’m here,” said Jones, a 17-year-old, Grade 12 student.
Jones enjoys being a floor general.
“Sometimes it’s difficult because I can’t always help them because I have something to do,” she said. “Other times, it’s easy. I love them and love helping them and love when they ask questions.”
The Saints appear to be moving in the right direction with their program, and Campbell isn’t against a move back to Tier 1 down the line.
“Right now, we’re comfortable here and we have more skills to develop, but if we get to a point where we’re comfortable in Tier 2, we just don’t want to play to be comfortable. These girls like to compete and here they get to compete and feel some success.”
The Bucs are in a similar position, focusing on the big picture.
“We’re not planning to take OFSAA or anything,” Beamsville coach Charlotte Cripps said. “We’re here for good sportsmanship and not giving up and playing the best you can even if the games aren’t good. Having the best game you can, knowing that you’ve done the best you can and improving the skills on the girls.”
The Bucs have one win this season, a triumph over Eastdale of Welland.
“The girls played 10 times better tonight than they did in their first game. The girls have worked so hard and usually in the games because they haven’t had many practices so they have improved on the court
“I am so proud of the girls. They have come together as a team and they are working so well.”
Stats pack
Saints 29 Bucs 15
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s player of the game: Guard Micailah Jones with 17 points.
For the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints: Jones 17; Myranda Ejercito 6; Selena Jones 4; Emily Hartwell 2.
For the Beamsville Bucs: Abby Van Amerongen 5; Kylee Ivanore 4; Sam Pierce 2; Evalina Cripps 2; Sage Lunshof 2; Sam Adams 2; Bryar Baughman 2.
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