Panthers Ready For OFSAA
The JMSS Panthers, seen here after their LKSSAA title, will compete as the top seed at OFSAA this week – Contributed Photo
Handed the number one seed at the upcoming tournament, the Panthers will look to add to their impressive list of wins this season which includes gold at the Ontario Small Schools Showcase, Fanshawe College tournament, LKSSAA, and SWOSSAA.
Although the rest of the province is expecting the John McGregor Panthers to be the cream of the crop, Panthers’ coach Carrie Carleton says she’s keeping her message to her team simple.
“I will tell the girls to enjoy the experience,” says Carleton. “For the younger girls, you never know if you will get the chance to go again. For our Seniors this is a culmination of years of work and they should be proud of. As for the competition we will “do what we do” and compete as best as we can in every game.”
John McGregor will be led by another Carleton, Carrie’s daughter Bridget Carleton, who has paced the Panthers all season after an incredible summer with Canada’s National Junior Women’s basketball team. Carleton, who recently signed her National letter of intent to play NCAA Division I basketball at Iowa State, has a solid supporting cast including Ashley Jackson, who plays JUEL basketball for the London Ramblers, as well as Laura Polowick, Amber Chettleburgh, and Ashley Herfst, who have all had strong offensive showings this season.
John McGregor will open OFSAA against Newmarket Dr. J.M. Denison in the first round Thursday at 6 p.m in Kingsville.
The Panthers will be hunting for their sixth OFSAA girls basketball title, with their last coming in 2002.
Overall, Carleton is excited for her team to have an unforgettable experience.
“This has been a great group of girls, not only basketball players but awesome kids and I am so happy that they will have this OFSAA Championship experience.”