Team South prevails in Top 20 game
Maia Walker will never forget her final high school basketball game.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student from A.N. Myer scored nine points and was named Player of the Game for her team as Team South edged Team North 39-37 at the 18th Annual Niagara Girls High School Basketball Top 20 All-Star game Wednesday night at the St Catharines Collegiate.
Walker enjoyed the experience.
“Oh, it’s pretty cool,” she said. “It was a great game being able to play with girls that you play against all year.
“You just go out there, give it your all. It was a great experience and it’s nice just putting something into the season and getting this back.”
Walker said the players were able to balance enjoying themselves while not taking the exhibition too lightly.
“It’s kind of neat,” she said. “During the season, it’s so competitive and you’re rivals, but this is kind of just a nice thing to do at the end of the season, to bring everyone all together and just enjoy the game.”
Walker said Notre Dame coach Loris Luccetta was helpful with the mindset.
“He told us to go out there, work hard, be first to the ball, have a good time,” she said. “Try to showcase your skills, but obviously if there’s someone open, don’t be too selfish, but you also want to showcase what you can do and what you’re about.”
Walker previously played club ball but gave it up in Grade 10 to concentrate on soccer where she plays for Hamilton United U20 reserve.
“It was just too much doing both at that level,’’ she said.
She will miss the social aspect of the game.
“I’m going to miss all the girls and missing friends, and honestly, not being able to play. My younger sister still plays and some days I go and watch her games and I miss the tournaments and just being with the girls and being able to play.”
Walker plans a career in nursing and is still considering schools for next year.
Smithville’s Christian’s Talia Hultink had an excellent debut in the Top 20 All-Star Game, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds to earn Player of the Game honours for Team North.
“I was thinking to just go out and have fun. We are all here to have fun and play our hardest because we earned it,” she said.
Hultink enjoyed playing in the game.
“It was being able to play in a new environment with new teammates.”
She feels she is making good strides in her game.
“I am playing more intense on defence and on the court than I used to play. My work ethic developed because I knew I had to work harder to get better. I am motivated by thoughts about my future.”
It was an extra special night for Talia because her mom, Tawnia, was coaching and her older sister, Tori, was helping out.
“It was nice to have that and it was a lot of fun. I definitely look up to my sister because she was really good and my mom did really well when she was my age. It’s nice to have them have my back.”
Talia is the third Hultink to play in the all-star games joining Tori and oldest sister, Terin.
Talia plays travel ball with the Niagara Juel Prep squad, which is off to a 5-0 start in league play. Last season the squad won a provincial bronze medal.
STATS PACK
Team South 37 Team North 35
Cat’s Caboose Players of the Game: South’s Ava Walker and North’s Talia Hultink.
For Team South: Madeline Leitch, Saint Michael 9; Myer’s Walker 9; Addison Thornton, Lakeshore Catholic 7; Lila DiPietro, Notre Dame 4; Nicole Dixon, Notre Dame 4; Katie Luciani, Crossley 2; Serena Gigliotti, Saint Paul 2. Also playing were: Jamila Johnson from Eastdale; Madison Walton from Collegiate; and, Bridget Peazel from Lakeshore Catholic.
For Team North: Talia Hultink, Smithville Christian 9; Sofia Sestili, Denis Morris 5; Rozlyn Ciocca, Saint Francis 5; Taliyah Washington, Governor Simcoe 5; Claire Martires, Holy Cross 5; Sadie Thibault, Smithville Christian 4; Avery Whaling, Blessed Trinity 2. Also playing were: Reece Vriend from DSBN Academy; Harper MacQueen from West Niagara; and, Kiera Pink from Sir Winston Churchill.
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