County members help Spirits win gold at U16 Ontario Cup basketball

Prince Edward County team members helped the Belleville Ellbrook Excavating U16 Spirits basketball team capture to gold medal at the Ontario Cup held last weekend at Algonquin College.

Spirits head coach Gord de Vries said his squad displayed a “never ever quit attitude” and team spirit throughout the weekend. They also displayed the ability to shift tactics if things were not going well; to change offence or defence as needed. Then, just like all season long, they played great defence.

“These girls are relentless; ball pressure, help side, tips, steals, rebounds. de Vries added. “It was just an awesome finish to a tremendous season,” also lead by Rachel Clarke, assistant coach.

County players include Hannah Millington, Syrena Elliot and Olivia McFaul, playing with Avery McCoy, Carys Wood, Emery Leveque, Grace Crawford, MaKennin Roach, Nyomi Bertrand and Samantha Milne.

The Spirits opened the tournament with a heartbreaking one point loss (43 – 42) to Kingston, not the start they were hoping for.

The second game was a scrappy affair with Kitchener Phoenix that saw Spirits simply outwork their opponents on every level in a 54-43 victory.

Game 3 was a rematch against Thunder Bay, who had beaten the Spirit at a tournament earlier in the season. Down one point at the half the Spirit rallied to win 40–27.

“Pesky defense showed its reward as the game went on. Kudos to every player for the intensity with which they played,” de Vries said.

In Sunday’s gold medal game against the Barrie Royals, the Spirt were down 10-2 early, but they regrouped and went on to win 41-36.

“Algonquin College was a fantastic host site, the referees and support staff were amazing, hotel nights fun, parents cut loose a bit, lots of laughs, a few nervous tears, tremendous support from all. Spirits midget basketball must bring out the gold in everyone,” de Vries said. “Well done girls. Memory moments for sure.”