Central Junior Girls Win See Saw Battle
Story and Photos by Robert Thomas
It came within seconds for the Central Cyclones Junior Girls basketball team to once again head off to overtime.
But a long shot by Shaylan Constable with 6.4 seconds to play led the Cyclones to a 44 to 42 victory over the Vanier Spirits on Monday evening.
Vanier Spirits Mia Melgarejo attempts to block an opponent from passing to a teammate- MJ Independent photo
The first half of the game saw Vanier have the lead of both quarters but the lead was small.
The tightly battled First Quarter saw the Spirits up by two points 13 - 11.
The Second Quarter was close to a carbon copy of the first quarter with Vanier scoring two points more than Central.
The score at half time was Vanier 21 and Central 21.
Central Cyclones Shaylan Constable had two late baskets. One which was a three pointer and one which was the game winner as Central defeated Vanier 44 - 42 - MJ Independent photo
The Third Quarter saw the Cyclones take the lead.
Vanier saw several good basket opportunities go wide.
Central would play strong defense and they managed to break up a number of Vanier longer passing plays.
The Cyclones would make numerous baskets after intercepting long Spirit’s passes.
The third quarter saw both teams have the lead at one time but in the end Central had a 34 - 30 lead over the Spirits.
Vanier Spirits Payton Kemenz (left) rebounds against Central Cyclones Leiah Diezo - MJ Independent photo
With 1:49 left in the Fourth Quarter Vanier took a 42 to 38 lead when Central took their first time out.
Vanier would break down court but fail to make a basket.
On the return play the ball would end up in the hands of Shaylan Constable would sink a three pointer to bring the Cyclones within a single point of the Spirits.
A long lead pass by the Spirits was broken up by the Cyclones Brooklyn Watterson.
After a single point from the foul line the game was tied.
The ball would end up in the hands of Constable who would line up and sink a long two pointer to give the Cyclones a 44 - 42 lead with 6.4 seconds left to play.
Vanier Spirits Peyton Kemenz (left) corrals the ball - MJ Independent photo
Top scorers for Central
Blake Maltis 10 points
Brooklyn Watterson 9 points
Shaylan Constable 8 points
Top scorers for Vanier
Addison Lamb 13 points
Kensington Demassi 7 points
Kabri Nogue and Mia Melgarejo 6 points each
Vanier Spirits Kabrie Nogue (left) breaks past Central Cyclones Zoey Chesney on a layup attempt - MJ Independent photo
Todd Johnson head coach of the Central Cyclones described the matchup as fantastic
“This again is what junior girls basketball is all about. It was a fantastic game again, super competitive, just the way the league is suppose to be,” Johnson said.
He said the see saw battle between the two teams was predictable.
“Everyone plays tough here. We knew they were going to come back and have bursts just like we did. So yeah it turned out pretty good.”
Central Cyclones Blake Mallais (left) is watched closely by Vanier Spirits Madeline Cruz - MJ Independent photo
Asked if shutting down Vanier's long passes by having players aggressively jump in to break up plays was something the Cyclones had focused on Johnson said it was just one element.
“We just focused on defense. Something we had to do. Come back and grab some defense,” he said.
Johnson said one thing he would like to see is more people come out to watch the junior girls play.
Admission at regular league games is free.
“Everyone should come out and see these junior girls basketball games. They're fantastic. Triple overtime the other night. Just about overtime again here tonight so everyone should come our again and watch.”
Traditionally in local high school sports junior basketball is often overshadowed by its senior cousin when it comes to coverage and attention.
Reaching for a loose ball - mj independent photo
Vanier Spirits Addison Lamb jumps making a layup - MJ Independent photo
For Vanier Spirits head coach Miguel Cruz the two point loss late in the game could have easily been the opposite and a Vanier victory.
The game was close and intense see sawing back and forth and despite the loss a much better result than the 14 point loss in the home opener in early December against the Cyclones.
Central Cyclones Blake Mallais tries to screen her opponent - MJ Independent photo
“That was an incredible game. Both teams just played amazing,” Cruz said.
“I think we left a lot if points out there that we should have converted but that’s how things go,” he said.
The momentum and lead changed hands making the game great for the fans, the players but perhaps not for the coaches’ hearts.
“It was a see saw game. It was back and forth.”
Central Cyclones Maddison Kiesmam Cayer (left) reaches to grab the ball - MJ Independent photo
Cruz said the Spirits have as of late been plagued with some players missing practices due to illness and other reasons so getting back after the Christmas break has been tough.
“You try to reward the players who have been showing up to practice and that is what we were trying to do at the end (of the game). So they kind of ran out of gas a little bit,” Cruz said.
Not making excuses he said the team was working on the basics and making sure basket opportunities turned into points.
“You know still it comes to making baskets. That last play at least we had a chance but we missed that basket and it was so close.”
Making the basket at that time would have given the Spirits a two point lead with under 30 seconds left in the game.
The Cyclones outside shooting “was a little bit better than ours” he said about the five points Constable made late in the game powering the Cyclones to the win.
Competitive rebounding - mj independent photo
About the junior girls league overall he said it was great for the fans.
This past week saw the Cyclones lose to the Cornerstone Falcons in triple overtime and the game tonight against Vanier almost headed into overtime as well.
“I think there is a lot of parity in the league which is really nice to see. A lot of competition. And it is just super exciting.”
