Spirits Edge Cyclones
Photos and Story by Robert Thomas
It was a Yogi Berra moment on Monday evening and not over until it is over as the Vanier Spirits came from behind to defeat the Central Cyclones 47 - 43 in high school junior girls semi final basketball action.
The Spirits found themselves behind by 10 points at one time but managed to grab the ĺead 31 - 29 with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
With 1:20 left in the third quarter the Spirits would pull off two key steals in the Cyclones key and quickly score four points to take a 36 - 30 over Central.
The fourth quarter would see Central pull within a single point of Vanier with 2:13 left in the game.
With 1:17 left in the game the score was Vanier 44 and Central 43 and the Spirits were headed to the foul line.
Madeline Cruz would make the free throw and score a basket to give the Spirits a four point lead.
With 11 seconds remaining the Cyclones took a time out but we’re unable to score.
The Spirits won 47 - 43 to advance to the junior girl basketball City final against the Peacock Toilers.
The First Quarter score was Central 14 and Vanier 8.
The score at Half Time was Central 20 and Vanier 14.
The Third Quarter score was Central 32 and Vanier 36.
The Final Score was Central 43 and Vanier 47.
Top Scorers Central:
Brooklyn Watterson - 18 points
Autumn Johnson - 5 points
Top Scorers Vanier:
Madeline Cruz - 18 points
Kensington Demassi - 14 points
Coaches’ Comments
Asked for his response to the statement junior girls basketball was boring Central Cyclones head coach Todd Johnson disagreed.
“Yeah what a night. And I’m telling you the girls basketball is fantastic in this city. Wait for the semi finals and the finals in the seniors as well as the juniors its going to be a really good time,” Johnson said.
About the loss to Vanier said it just shows how competitive the league is.
“What happened is and I said it to you before is these teams are evenly matched so it’s whoever shows up. Whoever rebounds well and whoeverruns their game plan well (wins),” he said.
“We did everything we had to do I’m super proud of these girls.”
About Vanier sitting at 14 points for close to seven minutes Johnson said it was just part of the game.
“That’s just the game of basketball. Sometimes the lid goes on and you can’t score. We both went though a little bit of a drought.”
Asked about the Cyclones season Johnson said despite being eliminated from the City championships he is nevertheless happy.
“I think that for myself what a pleasure to work with these young ladies. They are doing a fantastic job and they gave it 110 percent everytime. There was lots of laughs.”
The emotional loss brought some of the Central players to tears.
“After this game there were some tears but that just means they gave it there all.”
Central had all of their players back and injuries and sickness was not a factor.
“Everyone gave it there all. I am so proud of them.”
Vanier Spirits head coach Miguel Cruz said the matchup was phenomenol.
“Two amazing teams is all I can say. And our girls just found it in themselves to pull it together,” Cruz said.
Asked about the aggressive nature of the Spirits Cruz said it was part of the team's game plan.
“Yes I told them to be aggressive. You have to be aggressive. Central is so aggressive themselves. We have to meet that intensity.”
The aggressive play almost led the Spirits almost into foul lproblems.
“You have to watch that. I was definitely a little bit nervous at times.”
Asked about whether or not it was the Spirits most aggressive game of the season Cruz said he thought so.
“If not it’s going to rank up there as one of the toughest games.”
Cruz said the Spirits expected a tough match-up.
“We knew that they were good and we had to bring our A game. We had to bring all of our presses had to be ready to go. Our offense had to be ready to go but ultimately it just came down to pure heart.”
About the city final against Peascock Collegiate he said the Spirits were “confident and we are just going to continue what we continue to do “
