Vanier Repeats As City High School Junior Girls Basketball Champs

Story and Photos by Robert Thomas

“We're back in it,” one of the regulars who populate staff corner at Peacock Collegiate said.

The Toilers junior girls team had just battled back from a one time 16 point deficit to pull within six points of the Spirits.

The game and the gold medal seemed easily within their reach.

There was 5:37 left in the fourth quarter and the game’s momentum was strongly behind the Toilers.

For a good portion of the game the winds of fortune had filled the Spirits’ sails as the Toiler's boat made limited progress.

It had been one of those nights for the Toilers.

The First Quarter had been a low scoring affair.

The Spirits had posted the first five points before the Toilers finally had points up on the scoreboard.

The First Quarter ended Vanier 9 and Peacock 7.

By the mid way point of Second Quarter it was obvious what the Spirits game plan was.

It was an aggressive style of play that was to cover the Toilers whenever they were throwing the ball back into play.

The plan was to prevent the Toilers from scoring by not allowing them an easy opportunity to set up the play.

Vanier would carry the game to Peacock. The Toilers would respond by fouling the Spirits.

A golden opportunity for the Spirits to move into a commanding lead.

In three opportunities at the foul line the Spirits did not score until Madeline Cruz hit one of two free throws moving Vanier's score from 17 to 18.

The Half Time Score was Vanier 22 and Peacock 13.

The Third Quarter saw Vanier's aggressive style of play catch up with them.

Vanier would quickly accumulate five team fouls giving Peacock a golden opportunity as every Vanier foul for the rest of the quarter was a trip to the foul line.

There was plenty of time. There was 6:17 left in the quarter.

The Toilers would head to the foul line and invariably miss. Much to the chagrin of head coach Macaela Williams.

The Toilers would score five points from the foul line but miss many more.

The score at the end of the Third Quarter was Vanier 35 and Peacock 23.

The game for the Toilers seemed out of reach.

Then the Toilers would rally in the Fourth Quarter and the momentum would shift.

The Toilers would move within four points the score was Vanier 37 and Peacock 33 with 6:17 left.

Vanier would get Vanier basket back moving ahead 39 to 33.

But with 4:56 left in the game the Toilers closed the gap to two points - the score was Vanier 39 and Peacock 37.

But then Vanier woul re-ignite and thru a series of quick steals points were added.

The final buzzer would sound. Time had run out for Peacock.

The Vanier Spirits would walk off the court with the city junior girls basketball crown in a 49 - 41 victory.

“You know what I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. i just told the girls to come out and play your best,” Vanier Spirits head coach Miguel Cruz said.

“Whatever happens, no matter what happens just go and play your best.”

The game plan was an aggressive one.

“I knew we had to come out hard. I pressed right off of the hop. That was kind of our game plan is pressing. They had the energy to do it almost the whole game. I give total credit to those girls just playing their hearts out,” Cruz said.

Asked about not even allowing the Toilers the opportunity to easily throw the ball back into play Cruz said he could not believe how effective they were.

“It’s almost like a coach's dream to be up and stay up the whole time.”

Cruz admitted the Toilers came close to winning.

“They came close to beating us at the end there it was within two points. I was having a heart attack there,” he said.

“You know it’s never over until it is over,” Cruz said quoting the great Yogi Berra.

Cruz said he was worried when foul troubles plagued the Spirits.

“Yes that's when they came back and I was sweating bullets,” he said, adding “I was just trying to settle the girls down and myself to. Just re-evaluate. Get back out there and play your best. And they did. They just brought out their A game.”

Asked about how it looked like Peacock was going to win he said “ I know, I know. Never give up.”

“I would just like to congratulate my girls on an amazing season. We are back to back champions. We did it. I’m just so happy for the girls.”