Major Atom Wildcats Take Bronze

The Chatham-Kent Wildcats Major Atom Girls were in St. Catharines over the weekend as they entered the Ontario Cup Championships in Division 5. The team went 2 and 1 in pool play losing only to the eventual Division 5 champions, and came away with a hard fought come from behind Bronze medal.

In the first game of the tournament the Wildcat girls were pitted against the Dundas Dynamos. The Wildcats came out firing and were able to hold a comfortable lead throughout the game, winning the contest by a score of 43-31. Leading the way was Sitara Freeman with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 10 steals and 2 assists. Leeah Beland, a very efficient scorer, contributed 14 points and 5 steals and Sophie Wilkins had 8 points in the opening win. Addison Hoskins-Lambkin, the team’s defensive stopper throughout the year, had 9 boards, 3 steals and 1 assist. Judine Vanderveen, also strong defensively, contributed 6 boards and 1 steal.

In the second game of the tournament, the Wildcat girls played the much taller Niagara Falls Red Raiders. The Wildcat girls battled throughout the game and came away with a 39-23 win. Again leading the way was Sitara Freeman with 10 points, 10 boards, 5 steals and 1 block. Leeah Beland, strong throughout the tournament, had 7 points and 9 steals. Kylie Seller contributed 6 points and 4 steals, Addison Hoskins-Lambkin 5 points, 11 boards, with Abby Edwards and Elizabeth Newcombe rounding out the scoring with 4 points each.
In the third game of pool play the Wildcats lost by a score of 42-32. The Wildcats battled but were outsized at every position by the eventual division winners, the St. Thomas Shock. Sitara Freeman continued her dominant play with 10 points, 4 boards and 7 steals. Sophie Wilkins, showing a good scoring touch throughout the tournament, had 7 points and 5 rebounds. Addison Hoskins-Lambkin had 5 points, 10 boards, 4 steals, 1 assist and 2 blocks and Judine Vanderveen contributed 5 boards and 3 steals and 1 assist.

The Wildcat girls finished the tournament playing for the Bronze medal against another tall team, the Stoney Creek Storm. The Wildcats found themselves down for much of the game. Down by as much as 12 points, the Wildcat girls battled back with overwhelming team defense and some clutch shooting and were able to pull out a win in the final minutes by a score of 42-39. Sophie Wilkins saved her best for last, finishing with 15 points and 3 steals. Sitara Freeman hit some absolutely clutch free throws, going 6-10 late in the game and finished with 8 points and 6 steals. Elizabeth Newcombe had 5 big points, 2 boards, 3 steals and 1 assist. Addison Hoskins-Lambkin, again leading the way defensively, had 6 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots. Avery Braithwaite battled on the boards in this one and finished with 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. This was a true team effort with every player involved playing their hearts out.

Team members include Sophie Wilkins, Lyla Rolfe, Leeah Beland, Kaylene Brophy, Elizabeth Newcombe, Sitara Freeman, Avery Braithwaite, Judine Vanderveen, Kylie Seller, Addison Hoskins-Lambkin and Abby Edwards. Team coaches were Charles Peet, Jeff Braithwaite and Shannon Wilkins.