The Vanier Spirits might have seen things get a little too close for comfort at halftime against the Central Cyclones on Tuesday night, but when you have the kind of veteran crew they do, finding a way to hold on and win is just how it is.
Vanier turned a nine-point lead at halftime into a 20-point lead through three quarters, and they’d go on to a 71-44 victory in Moose Jaw High School Athletic Association senior girls basketball action at Central.
The Spirits improved to 5-1 with the win and took over sole possession of first place, while Central fell to 3-3 and hold down third place.
Vanier got off to their usual hot start, roaring out to a 21-6 lead in the opening 10 minutes, but the Cyclones would outscore the Spirits 17-10 in the second quarter to make things very interesting at the break.
Vanier’s balanced attack went to work from there, with six different players picking up points as the Spirits restored their comfortable lead.
Kate Waldenberger led the Spirits with 18 points while Waverley Demassi contributed 17 and Ireland Guillaume 11.
Addison Simpson had 13 for Central, Ellah Flanagan added 10.
Things went far better for the Cyclones boys team against the Lumsden Devils, as they’d remain unbeaten on the campaign with a 108-48 win at Central.
Central is now 5-0 on the season, Lumsden fell to 1-4.
Mason Muchowski led Central with 24 points, while Chase Seaborn scored 22, Max Simmons added 17 and Javin Boynton scored 12.
Ben Pollack had a 13-point outing for the Devils, Jax Evans scored 12.
Teams are now into the exam break, with action resuming Tuesday, Feb. 6 with boys games seeing Swift Current at Central (5:50 p.m.) and Peacock at Lumsden (5:30 p.m.). Girls games have Peacock at Assiniboia (5:50 p.m.), Central at Swift Current (5:50 p.m.) and Vanier at Lumsden (7:10 p.m.).
