Mike Hayakawa

Crothers pounds Spartans for first-ever win

For a first-year entry in the York Region Athletic Association, the Bill Crothers Secondary School Colts junior girls’ basketball team didn’t take long to record their first victory in the Tier 1 campaign.

In fact, the Colts did it in rather quick fashion after winning their regular season-opening game over the Stouffville District Secondary School Spartans 53-17 in the first game played on their temporary home floor while work is still being carried out on their main court back on Sept. 25.

Ishanaa Seupersadsingh scored 11 points and Carleigh Nugent nine for the Colts, who jumped out to a commanding 14-2 lead after one quarter and padded it to 31-7 at the half.

To prove that effort was no quirk, the Colts won their second game last Thursday over the St. Augustine Catholic High School Titans 47-14.

In that game, the Colts received a balanced scoring attack as team captain Danielle Harris, Lindsay Shotbolt and Nugent each had 10 points.

“We weren’t sure how strong we would be this season,” Nicole Lazier, Colts co-coach, said. “But we knew we had players who played the game outside of high school.”

In inheriting a cast of fairly skilled Grade 9 and 10 students at their high performance school for athletes, Lazier and her coaching cohort Andrea Callender, refused to take any credit in their on-court development.

Quick to credit the coaching the players have received elsewhere, Lazier and Callender said their primary objective is to mould them into being a cohesive unit.

“We’re here to facilitate them to play together as a team at Bill Crothers Secondary School,” explained Callender.

While the season is still in its infant stages, the players appear to have bought into Lazier and Callender’s system as they haven’t been forced to rely on one or two individuals to carry them.

“On this team you can’t single out any one person as being the strength. We have a lot of versatility where players can fill different roles,” Callender said.

With 19 players comprising this year’s inaugural squad at the Unionville-based school, Lazier acknowledged it can be a challenge to provide playing time for everyone during games.

For those players that might not log as many minutes as others, Lazier said they remain on the team as members of their developmental group.

Whether the players serve as starters or come off the bench, Lazier noted each accepts their role and are enjoying their time on the inaugural Colts’ hoop squad.

Cardinals hoop it up at U of T tourney

The Brother Andre Catholic High School Cardinals junior girls’ basketball team captured the University of Toronto festival tournament after defeating Oakwood Collegiate (Toronto) 34-20 in last Saturday’s title tilt.

To reach the final, the Cardinals went undefeated after recording victories over Riverdale 32-16, University of Toronto Schools 40-4, Ecole Famille 23-9, Cardinal Newman (Scarborough) 34-14 and Collingwood 31-13 in their semifinal game.

Marie Korte and Danielle Souche were the Cardinals’ top scorers during the tournament.

O’Hagen runs off with high honours

Markham District High School’s Katie O’Hagan continues to burn up the cross-country trails after placing second in the senior girls’ 5K event in last Thursday’s Dwyer Invitational event in Oshawa.
Tsui rules fairways

Vivian Tsui carded a four-over par 75 to capture the YRAA girls’ individual golf championship at Mill Run Golf Club near Uxbridge last Thursday.

The Markham resident and student at Bill Crothers Secondary School was six shots better than her nearest rival Hayley Brown of Sir William Mulock Secondary School (Newmarket), who had an 81.

Among other top five placings, Meghan MacDougall of St. Augustine Catholic High School was fourth with an 85 and Megan Allum of Markham District High School was fifth with an 86.

In the consolation championships, played on the Highlands Course, Sarah Stollery of St. Augustine was first with an 81 while Rebecca Yao of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Secondary School was third at 92.