Talented Grade Nines Help Power Spirits Success

Photos and story by Robert Thomas

From almost the initial tip-off the Peacock Toilers junior girls basketball team found themselves in trouble against a tall and strong Vanier Spirits team.

The Toilers struggled to make baskets and defend on rebounds as the Spirits junior girls went inside and challenged under the basket wracking a lopsided 76 - 8 victory.

Vanier Spirits head coach Miguel Cruz was unable to find the words as to the reasons for the Spirits win.

So Let’s Talk About The Spirits Season So Far

The Spirits used their size to dominate play much of the size coming from Grade Nines who joined the team this year.

“We have three returning Grade Tens. We have some good core Grade Nines that have got some size and that has helped,” Cruz said, adding “some of the girls are more of the guard type with some speed. So they have a little bit of skill too so that has been a nice easy transition as a coach.”

“It’s good to have these girls with a skill set you can work with,” he said.

Asked about the height he has inherited with the team he said “this year it looks like that.”

“We have two tall grade nines there and a couple of grade tens that are decently sized so that makes a difference. When you have some tall grade nines coming in and the know the game it helps definitely.”

The size and the talent has made an impact on the court with the Spirits undefeated against junior girls opponents.

The Spirits lone loss was to the combined Briercrest/CCS JV Cougars.

JV teams allow players from grade nine to grade 12 to be on a team as it allows smaller schools or the players who don’t make the main teams the opportunity to play and compete on a more more level playing field.

The Spirits experience losses this year are three grade tens who made the Spirits senior girls roster and two who chose not to play basketball but are pursuing other athletics endeavours.