Vanier Senior Girls Advance To HOOPLA
By Robert Thomas
They were suppose to potentially be two tough games.
But in the end they were two relatively easy victories and the Vanier Spirits senior girls basketball team are off to the provincial basketball finals or Hoopla.
The Vanier Spirits, ranked 2nd, advanced to the regional gold medal game by defeating 15th ranked Saskohc 74 - 14 on Friday evening.
Vanier Spirits player Olga Ruberwa runs into the outstretched arm - Mzj Independent photo
On Saturday the Spirits defeated the 10th ranked Regina Johnson 78 - 28 to win a trip to Hoopla in Prince Albert this coming weekend.
The evening before Regina Johnson had upset 7th ranked Melville 56 - 53 in overtime to advance to the gold medal matchup against the Spirits.
“You know it’s been a long time since Vanier has hosted a regional. And with the ranking we were (ranked) number two. It was a blessing and an experience,” Vanier Spirits head coach Christa Lapointe told MJ Independent in a post game interview.
Vanier Spirits Kate Waldenberger (right) goes after a ball heading out of bounds - MJ Independent photo
Despite being ranked number two going into regional play and facing a much lower ranked opponent she said the Spirits were still wary.
“However you are always nervous. You are always playing the next game to get to where you have to go,” she said.
After Regina Johnson's strong play against Melville on Friday evening Lapointe said there was worry about an upset.
The Spirits needed to reminded the goal to advance to provincials was still on the table.
“After winning city's it was a challenge to get the girls back into it, oh, we have another goal to achieve.”
Both of the teams the Spirits faced at regional play they had not played at the multiple tournaments they participated in.
“We were going in blind kind of,” Lapointe Saud, adding “You never take anything for granted.”
Asked about the “wonky” scores that crop up in play with unknown teams during playdowns she said it is part of the turf.
“When it comes to games from teams you never played before you never know what the score will be. You never know how it will end. So you just have got to just play each minute of each game. You have to work on that execution and team play.”
Hosting a regional playdown, after years of traveling, has been a great experience for the Spirits.
“It’s been wonderful. It’s been nice to have all three teams down from across the province to compete. And yeah it was a good experience for everyone I hope,” she said.
The Spirits came to play and win at the regional playdown.
“Everyone comes with different skill sets and different abilities but like really everyone who showed up today was ready to play and they wanted it,” Lapointe said.
Vanier Spirits Kate Waldenberger (left) moves to attempt a steal as Regina Johnson's M Duran corrals a long rebound - MJ Independent photo
Despite winning regionals Lapointe said the Spirits are going to be working on both mental and physical preparation to fine tune for Hoopla.
“We need to get a little bot of rest in but the reality is they cannot turn off their brains yet. They still need to work on the little details, the execution…really its rest and mental prep.”
Vanier Spirits receive the regional gold medal - MJ Independent photo
Lapointe said holding Hoopla in one centre - Prince Albert is hosting - will be a new and welcomed experience for the team.
Last year Hoopla was held but the different school size divisions met for provincials in five different centres.
