U16 2023-2024 Season Recap
By most standards, this year’s U16 team was relatively young, comprised of nine Grade 9 players and two Grade 10 players. With only three returning players from last year’s U14 team, the girls quickly grasped the importance of teamwork, learning to support one another while building trust and recognizing each player’s unique strengths on the court.
The team finished the season with an impressive record of 22 wins and 10 losses, reaching the finals in all three tournaments they participated in and achieving an OBL record of 8 wins and 4 losses. Heading into the Ontario Cup, the U16s were ranked 4th overall in Division 3, with a favorable schedule in their pool that positioned them well for a shot at the medal rounds on Sunday.
Unfortunately, in their first game on Friday night, they faced a very fast Inter City Saints team that shot the ball exceptionally well and went on to surprise other teams throughout the weekend. Losing the first game of the Ontario Cup can be disheartening, but the girls rebounded, winning both of their games on Saturday by impressive margins, setting up a semi-final match against the Brampton Warriors at 8:30 AM on Sunday. With momentum on their side, they secured a 19-point victory, earning a rematch against Inter City.
In the practices leading up to the Ontario Cup, the girls had agreed that regardless of the stakes, they would win their last game of the season—and they did just that. To add to the excitement, they triumphed in the Gold Medal game by a remarkable 30 points.
Congratulations to the entire team! Winning is a by-product of dedication, commitment, and hard work. You should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments this season and the progress you’ve made in your development. A special thank you to team managers Allison McKeown and Julie Wilson for keeping everything organized and on schedule, and to assistant coach Dave Potts for his invaluable support during practices and games, helping to navigate the highs and lows of coaching teenage girls.
Coach McGrath
