Sarnia, Ontario


   

 

 

Huron Lakers Girls Basketball Club

Atom

2009-2010
 


submitted photo

Sitting in front (left to right): Grace McClure, Ashley Cortez, Morgan Wagg Kneeling (left to right): Robyn Blair, Danielle Green, Keirsten Tomkins, Stephanie Shaw and Stephanie Maitland  Standing (left to right):  Manager Sheri Blair, Brooke Henderson, Carmen Handy, Julia Iliescu, and Elise McInnis, In Back (holding banner): Coaches Brian Henderson and Jill Henderson


Huron Lakers Atom Girls #1 Basketball Team Wins Provincial Gold

 

The Huron Lakers Atom Girls #1 team capped their season with a second straight gold medal by winning the AA Ontario Provincial Championships in Orillia.  The Lakers, ranked 3rd entering the tournament went undefeated in capturing the title with a thrilling 39-37 overtime victory in the final over the 2nd ranked Brantford CYO team.

 

The Lakers opened the tournament with a 37-23 win over Guelph Phoenix.  After a sluggish start in the first half that saw the game tied, the Lakers pulled away with 8 second half points by Carmen Handy who had a game high 12 for the winners.  Morgan Wagg also contributed 11 points in the win.

 

In the second game, the Pelham Panthers came out with a high degree of intensity as they had to win to stay in competition for the medals.  The Panthers jumped out to an early lead but the Lakers battled hard with a strong defensive effort by Julia Iliescu and Danielle Green to keep the game close.   A balanced attack with 10 Lakers scoring baskets set the stage for Keirsten Tomkins to close the game going 5 for 6 from the line to cap her game high 9 points and ice the game 34-29. 

 

The final round robin game was strictly for placing purposes as the Lakers had already qualified for the playoffs and were playing the #2 ranked Brantford CYO team for first place.  The Lakers got off to a great start with a strong display of team basketball.  Robyn Blair played shut down defence on Brantford’s strongest and tallest player and the Lakers executed their offence with precision getting baskets from 7 different players.  Once again, the Lakers won the game at the line making 5 of 8 free throws in the final period, including Tomkins who closed the game with 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute.  Ashley Cortez led the team with 6 points in the 26-24 victory.

 

Clinching first place turned into a positive for the Lakers as they faced the 8th ranked Flamborough Fire team who upset #1 ranked Oakville Vytis to make the playoffs.  Avenging an earlier season defeat, the depth of the Lakers showed in a low scoring first half.  Down 7-2 early in the game, Brooke Henderson made a free throw as time expired in the 3rd period that seemed to bring life to the Lakers.  Grace McClure scored on a breakaway and Elise McInnis and Danielle Green both scored on strong screen and roll plays to start building the lead for the Lakers.  Tomkins scored a game high 10 points all in the second half.  Stephanie Shaw added 5 for the winners including a 3 pointer to start the second half and the Lakers never looked back winning 27-18.    

 

The final did not start off well for the Lakers as Brantford came out shooting very strongly and jumped out to an early 8 point lead just before half time.  A clutch basket by Stephanie Maitland before the half brought the score to within 6 at the break.  The Lakers chipped away slowly in the second half before taking a lead for the first time since the opening minute with just over one minute remaining in the 7th period.  Brantford led by one heading into the final period which went back and forth throughout.  Carmen Handy broke out in the final period and scored two of her team high 13 with just over 30 seconds left to tie the score.  After a strong defensive possession, the Lakers had a chance to win at the buzzer but the ball bounced off the rim sending the game into overtime. 

 

The Lakers played an inspired overtime period and went to the basket consistently making layups and going to the free throw line where once again they closed the game by going 4-6 from the line, including 2 free throws by Morgan Wagg that put the Lakers up 5 with 40 seconds remaining.  Brantford made a spirited comeback attempt that fell just short when they missed 2 shots as time expired to give the Lakers the championship.  Stephanie Shaw pitched in 8 for the winners in the final. 

 

During the season, the Lakers amassed 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and one bronze medal in their 5 tournaments and finished the season on a nine game winning streak against the toughest competition in AA in the province.

 



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