U14 Callahan 2023-2024 Season Recap

The 2023/24 U14 Callahan girls Spirits concluded the season with an impressive 25-11 record, earning a bronze medal in the D2 provincials. They finished the season with arguably their strongest performance, defeating a tough Huron Laker team by 19 points after competing in two closely contested games earlier in the season, winning one and losing one.

Season highlights included gold medal victories at the Mike O’Connor tournament in Ottawa and the Blessed Sacrament tournament in Hamilton. Notably, the girls showcased their skill by winning against D1 teams like Oakville and Brantford, demonstrating their ability to compete with the top 10 teams in the province. Throughout the season, they faced challenging competition, as Coach Tom and Darrell opted to enter AAA tournament pools whenever possible, believing that playing against the best is the key to improvement.

As the season began, it took some time for the team to bond. We welcomed first-year players, had returning players, and added a new, fiery head coach known for receiving technical fouls and occasionally getting ejected—sorry to disappoint you, Sara! However, the girls quickly gelled, adapting to the coaches’ desired style of play, which yielded results on the court. Their aggressive, trapping full-court defense combined with a fast-paced transition offense made them a formidable opponent.

As a coach, I notice subtle developments in my players that may go unnoticed by others, whether in games or practice. These small improvements often emerge after weeks or months of hard work, and they bring immense joy to a coach, making the effort worthwhile. When these incremental advancements accumulate, the results are reflected on the scoreboard. Coaches are incredibly proud of your successes as a team and, more importantly, of the progress you all made as individual players throughout the season.