Major Atom Chatham-Kent Wildcats Girls capture Bronze in Hamilton
Wildcats Win Bronze - Submitted Photo
The Chatham-Kent Wildcats Major Atom Girls took home a bronze medal at the Blessed Sacrament Tournament in Hamilton this past weeked, widely regarded as one of the best and toughest tournaments in all of Ontario. Playing against top competition, the strong tournament for this young Chatham-Kent Basketball Association team sets them up well for the upcoming Provincial Championships.
Below are the results from each of the Chatham-Kent Wildcats tournament games:
Game 1 – Chatham-Kent Wildcats 57 – Toronto Triple Threat 55
This was the fourth time of the season playing Triple Threat and they are currently ranked #1 in the Province. Each time the Wildcats faced them, the team closed the gap (loss by 26 in December, loss by 17 in January, loss by 7 in January) and now a 2 point win.
The entire team came motivated to play. Tenacious defense and a well executed offense was the difference against this solid team.
Burke Bechard – 18, Lauren Ball – 12, Jana Kucera – 6, Allyson Huckle – 5, Kaylee Boulley – 4, Brooke Mackinnon and Loren Koluk with 3, Logan Kucera and McKenna Ladd with 2.
Game 2 – Newman Youth (Stoney Creek) 47 – Chatham-Kent 29
The Wildcats had difficulty finding a way to shut down Newman’s 6 ‘ – 11 year old. She plays well under the basket and the Wildcats are learning how to better defend her each time the team faces Newman, the current #3 ranked team in Ontario. Chatham-Kent has played them 2 other times this season losing by 18 and 14.
Julia Rush – 7, Lauren Ball – 6, Logan and Jana Kucera both with 5, Burke Bechard and Brooke Mackinnon both with 4, Kaylee Boulley – 2
Game 3- Chatham-Kent 45 – Brantford CYO 23
Chatham-Kent got off to a slow start in this game and were only leading 15 – 13 by half. This was the fourth tournament in 6 weeks and the Major Atom team has played all division one teams in order to prepare for the Provincial contest at the end of March. Sometimes these 11 year olds are just mentally and physically exhausted. They regrouped, found their second wind and took control of the game in the second half.
Lauren Ball – 12, Burke Bechard – 8, Jana Kucera – 6, Brooke Mackinnon – 5, Loren Koluk – 4, Logan Kucera and Allyson Huckle both with 3, Julia Rush – 2.
Game 4 – Semi-final: Hamilton Transway 42 – Chatham-Kent 13
Transway is currently ranked #2 in the Province and Chatham-Kent has played them 3 other times in the past 6 weeks. Initially they beat the Wildcats by 14, then by 11 and last week only by 8.
Burke Bechard – 4, McKenna Ladd – 3, Julia Rush, Allyson Huckle, Lauren Ball all with 3.
Game 5 – Bronze Medal Game
Chatham-Kent Wildcats 41 – Hamilton Blessed Sacrament 39
For the second weekend in a row, the Chatham-Kent Wildcats Major Atom players recovered from difficult games and demonstrated true athletic character. They played with heart and desire and maintained composure down the stretch against a solid basketball team (also the home team).
Both teams exchanged leads throughout the game. Chatham-Kent would go up by 4 and then Blessed Sacrament would go up by four. With seconds to go in the 7th shift, Riley Torres launched a 3-pointer which saw nothing but net to tie the game. In the final four minutes the lead was exchanged several times. Lauren Ball drove to the basket with 21 seconds left and converted for the 2 point lead. Blessed took a time-out to advance the ball to their foul line extended. The Wildcats’ defence first mentality kept them from having a decent look at the basket. Blessed was forced to “throw up” a shot. The rebound ended in a jump ball still with Blessed in possession but only .2 seconds on the clock. They tried to catch and shoot but failed to get the shot off.
Information submitted by Donna Kucera.