Special to the Sydenham Current
The Wallaceburg Tartans junior girls basketball team traveled to Kingsville for the SWOSSAA ‘AA’ final on Thursday.
With the home crowd behind them, Kingsville started off strong and took a 16-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The parents and fans of the Tartans were in full force cheering, which seemed to help jump start the team.
Going into half, the Tartans cut the lead to 24-21, out scoring Kingsville 14-8 in the second quarter.
With a 10 minute halftime and the Tartans being a second half team, the game was getting more interesting by the second.
Wallaceburg parents and fans started to take control in the stands by cheering, which resulted in a drive for the young Tartans.
At the end of the third quarter, the young Tartans finally had a lead 34-32.
The fourth quarter was something to be seen.
With the crowd going back and forth, it was Tartan time.
The Grade 10 girls, who lost by one point the year before to this very team, refused to lose.
There leadership and effort was amazing, out scoring Kingsville 21-6 in the quarter for a 55-38 victory and a SWOSSAA championship.
Pacing the way was Laura Marcus with 21 points and Gabi Whiteye, who played her first game in six weeks after suffering a broken bone in her foot, with 10 points.
With the end of the season upon them the Tartans finished 18-4 in the season winning four tournaments.
They also played in a senior tournament, finishing with a 1-2 record, losing to a 2017 ‘A’Â OFSAA participant by only 13 in the process.
“I would like to say that no one in this province has the fans and parental support which WDSS has,” said Jeff Byrne, head coach of the team.
“Thank you for the season and cheering.:
In the photo, front row from left to right: Katie Forgie, Sam St. Croix, Gabi Whiteye, Abby Mahu, Kayla Nogueira, manager Terri Bechard. Back row: Julia Veenstra, Nikki Dashner, Ferrah Blackbird, coach Jeff Byrne, Laura Marcus, Haley Vancouillie, Meagan Mccarter, K.J. Ritchie, Meagan Berkvins, Enya Gittens and coach Brooke Lee.
– Submitted photo
