U16
Success for Spirits this past weekend
https://inquinte.ca/story/success-for-spirits-this-past-weekend
by Brock Ormond
Two more medals were won by Belleville Spirits girls basketball teams this past weekend.
The U16 Spirits finalized an undefeated season with a gold medal at the IEM Tournament in Newmarket, defeating the Kingston Impact 59-33 in the final game.
Meanwhile, the U19 Spirits achieved silver at the Barrie Royals U19 AAA Tournament, losing a heartbreaker by one basket in the gold medal contest.
The team is sitting in second place in Pool A in the Ontario Basketball League this season.
Both squads are back in action for OBL play this month.
This follows the U14 Spirits gold medal win last month in Orleans.
Rosters for the teams can be seen below.
Gold Medal finish for U16 ladies in Newmarket
Spirits Players earn Silver at OFSAA
U16’s bring OBL wins to 6
Saturday saw the girls travel to Havergal College in Toronto for two OBL games. Possibly inspired by the great gym on an awesome campus the Spirits major midget girls racked up two more wins, bringing their OBL total to six. The early morning start against Ottawa Next Level proved no deterrent as the team came out early and strong with a full court press, good rebounding, and quick transition. With Spirits leading 30 – 18 at the half, Ottawa was unable to match the ongoing pace and pressure. Final score was 57 – 31 with Lou getting 18 points, Avery and Mak with 12 each.
The afternoon game, against Niagra Red Raiders, was more tenacious, especially at the start. We are trying to implement different defensive and press strategies as well as diversify our offensive options. Certainly some confusion but, as we get it figured out, our game will certainly grow stronger. After a 31 – 17 half time lead the Spirits finished strong, winning 51 – 33. A very balanced scoring game; Emery leading with 10 points.
Defense, rebounding, and transition continue to influence every game we play. Shoutout to Grace for ‘ never quit’ ball pressure defense, to all the girls who are, with time, figuring out how to secure rebounds for us. Our transition offense – and defense – continues to get quicker, stronger, smarter. Thank you girls for doing the hard work required to get better.
Finally, many parents at the games. Awesome to see. Many thanks.
Next event is March 4/5 tournament in Newmarket.
London teams experience Belleville Energy
London teams experienced some Belleville energy this weekend as our U16 Spirits girls defeated London 86ers 56 – 20, then London Gold Medal 51 – 23.
In both games our girls set the tone early with an active press. This often forced turnovers leading to quick scores. Defense continues to dominate for these girls, often allowing transition to layups.
Olivia McFaul (Lou) led all scorers with 22 each game, the rest coming from multiple players. Most notable was how energized and active, at both ends of the floor, this team is becoming. They are still learning new concepts, and about each other, but their commitment to ‘be better’ is noticeable.
Well deserved wins girls! Great support, as always, from family and friends.
5 Spirits teams play this weekend
All 5 Spirits teams will be playing a pair of games this weekend as the second half of the season starts with a bang.
U16 Spirits capture provincial ‘AAA’ crown
Original story from The Belleville Intelligencer
The Belleville U16 Spirits girls basketball team has done something no other team has ever done in more than 30 years of rep basketball in Belleville. They were crowned Division 1 AAA provincial champions this past weekend at the Pan Am Centre in Scarborough.
Capping off a perfect 5-0 weekend, the Spirits defeated Brantford 54-44 in the gold medal game.
A balanced scoring attack and solid team defence was the difference. With multiple scoring threats, Brantford was unable to contain the Spirits led by Melina McLellan with 12 points, Brigid Bechervaise, 11, Grace Callahan, 10, Sydney Drain, nine, and Talia Vreugendhill, eight, including going six for six from the free throw line, four of them coming late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
A balanced scoring attack and solid team defence was the difference. With multiple scoring threats, Brantford was unable to contain the Spirits led by Melina McLellan with 12 points, Brigid Bechervaise, 11, Grace Callahan, 10, Sydney Drain, nine, and Talia Vreugendhill, eight, including going six for six from the free throw line, four of them coming late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
“They came totally prepared to finish of the season with one goal in mind. Anything less than a gold medal would have been disappointing,” Callahan said.
After a heart breaking two point loss to London Gold Medal in the OBLX final three weeks earlier, Belleville had revenge on their minds in the semifinal Sunday morning. Matching up against the No. 1 seed with a trip to the finals at stake, Belleville played their most complete game of the year and dominated London from the opening tip.
Belleville never trailed in this game and maintained their 13 point half time lead throughout and finished with a 52-39 win.
Melina McLellan again was the leading scorer with 17 points, eight of them coming in a three-minute span in the third quarter. Coaches said McLellan was unstoppable this game, getting to the basket at will, all the while drawing a tough defensive assignment covering London’s best player. Bechervaise chipped in with 10 while Callahan and Vreugendhill and nine and seven, respectively.
“This was a game the girls really wanted. Their only two losses of the season had come against London and they were determined not to let it happen again,” Callahan said.
Heading in the weekend, Belleville was the No. 2 ranked team in Ontario with and impressive 38-2 record. Aside from running the table in the OBLX league with a 13-0 record, Belleville took home gold medals from tournaments in Ottawa, Markham and Hamilton.
Grouped with Brantford, Oakville and Inner City, Belleville would have to battle through pool play to get to the medal round.
The opening game with Oakville was a battle the entire game, as the Spirits managed to escape with a 45-41 victory.
Sydney Drain and Vreugendhill paced the Spirits with 11 points apiece while McLellan and Bechervaise each had eight.
Next up for Belleville was Inner City Saints from Toronto and the Spirits were too much for the GTA club and coasted to a 54-35 win, getting scoring contributions from eight different players.
The final round-robin game would determine first place in the pool. Matching up with Brantford who were also 2-0, Belleville had another hard fought game but prevailed 56-48. Drain led the way with 14, McLellan 12, Vanessa Wilton and Bechervaise each with eight.
Coaches Jeff Bechervaise, Darryl Drain and Callahan are very proud of the girls accomplishments.
“For a team from a small centre like Belleville to compete against the best teams across the province and win is a major achievement,” Callahan said.
“Going into the season, the coaches knew we had a solid team and hoped to be competitive in the upper divisions but as the season progressed, the girls were dominant at times, beating teams handily. As the new year rolled around, team goals shifted from being competitive to competing for a title,” he said.
Team members are Sydney Drain, Talia Vreugendhill, Gracie Burris, Grace Callahan, Vanessa Wilton, Brigid Bechervaise, Kira Fair, Melina McLellan, Aleisha Rose, Cassi Yeatman, and Hannah Goad.
Team members include: Sydney Drain, Talia Vreugendhill, Gracie Burris, Grace Callahan, Vanessa Wilton, Brigid Bechervaise, Kira Fair, Melina McLellan, Aleisha Rose, Cassi Yeatman, Hannah Goad, and coaches Jeff Bechervaise, Darryl Drain and Tom Callahan.
U16 Belleville Spirits dominate Ottawa tournament
The Belleville Spirits U16 AAA girls dominated their season opening tournament in Ottawa this past weekend, participating in the 25th annual Chris Paulin tournament.
The Belleville squad capped off their perfect 4-0 record with a convincing 59-28 win over the Goulbourne Hornets.
A balanced scoring attack and smothering defence was the difference in the game. Leading 32-14 at the half, Belleville extended their lead in the third quarter and never looked back. Grace Callahan led the scoring with 15, Sydney Drain 12, Talia Vreugendhill 10, Hannah Goad and Melina McLellan with eight and seven, respectively.
In preliminary round robin play, Belleville handled the Nepean Blue Devils 58-29. Callahan scored 13, with Goad adding six and Kira Fair four.
In Game 2, Belleville took on Goulbourne for the first time and came away with a 59-30 win. Callahan lead the scoring with 17, while Aleisha Rose and Sydney Drain each had seven, and Gracie Burris chipped in with five.
With a spot in the gold medal game secured, the Spirits wrapped up pool play with a 77-35 win over host club, Ottawa Next Level. Every Spirits player hit the score sheet in the lopsided victory. Callahan lead the onslaught with 19, followed by Drain, 12, McLellan, 10, and Vanessa Wilton, nine.
Coaches credit the girls with a great effort all weekend. Up next for the Spirits is opening weekend of Ontario Basketball League X games this Saturday in Toronto.
