Wildcats Bronze At Provincials
The Bantam Chatham-Kent Wildcats won bronze at the OBA championships this weekend – Contributed Photo
In the first game of pool play the Bantam Wildcats defeated the North Toronto Huskies by a score of 48-39. After a slow start, the team settled down to secure the win. Elliot Cowan led the team with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 assists. Solara Howe, showing her dominance in the paint, contributed 11 points and 6 boards. Claire Cox had 7 points including 2 timely 3’s, while Bella Bugros and Melissa Pardy both scored 5 points in this contest.
Game two of pool play was a barn burner between the Mississauga Monarchs and the Wildcat bantam girls. The Wildcats found themselves down by 16 at one point but clawed their way back into the game, with the score going back and forth in the final minute of play. The tall Mississauga team was able to pull out a 1 point victory with the final score being 47-46. Marissa Beselaere upped the team’s intensity in true Russell Westbrook style and scored 17 points on 8-12 shooting and added 8 steals. Elliot Cowan continued her strong play on both ends of the court with 9 points, 8 boards and 5 steals. Solara Howe contributed 8 points 10 boards and Claire Cox, 2-4 from the 3 point line had 6 points.
In the final game of pool play the Wildcats defeated the Blessed Sacrament Yellow Jackets from Hamilton by the decisive score of 49-24. Elliot Cowan led the way with 12 points, 3 assists, 2 blocks and an incredible 18 rebounds. Claire Cox had 11 points and rounding out the scoring were Jillian Vickery with 10 points 8 boards, Sydney Sheppy 4 points 4 boards, and Bella Bugros with 4 points and 6 strong rebounds.
In the final game of the tournament, with a bronze medal up for grabs, the Wildcats were pitted against the Tecumseh Saints. With a half-time score of 24-21, the Wildcat girls took control of this one with their swarming defense and by outscoring Tecumseh in the 3rd quarter 18-2. The Wildcats sailed to a Bronze Medal victory, winning by a final score of 50-32. Elliot Cowan saved her best overall game for last scoring 10 points, 13 boards, 6 steals, 4 assists and 3 blocked shots. Claire Cox, again 2-4 from the 3, added 8 points and 3 steals. Speedy Sara Turner came up big with 7 points, 9 strong rebounds and 2 steals. Solara Howe continued her strong play with 6 points, 10 boards, 3 steals, 1 assist and 1 block. Bella Bugros and Sydney Sheppy each had 4 points and Bella once again grabbed 6 big rebounds. Bryah Baylis, almost perfect from the foul line over the weekend added 3 points, 2 steals and 1 assist. In a fan favourite moment, Megan Colby stole the ball and poured in a lay-up for an exciting 2 points.
The team’s co- MVP’s for the tournament were Elliot Cowan and Solara Howe.
Special appreciation goes out to an outstanding community group, the Home James Organization, for awarding a financial grant to the Wildcat’s Bantam girl’s team again this year. All team members, coaches, parents and fans shout out a big “thank-you” to Home James.
Pictured Above: Front Row: Bella Bugros, Sara Turner, Jillian Vickery, Marissa Beselaere. 2nd row: Meghan Colby, Claire Cox, Melissa Pardy. 3rd row: Bryah Baylis, Sydney Sheppy, Elliot Cowan. Back row: assistant coach Skylar Baylis, Solara Howe, coach Charles Peet.