The scoreboard may not show it but the visiting Vanier Spirits and Central Cyclones were involved in an epic hardwood court battle last Tuesday evening.
A battle that saw the Spirits defeat the Cyclones 74 - 56 in high school senior girls basketball action.
The First Quarter was for the most part dominated by the Spirits who would, time and again, take advantage of Cyclone's misses to transition from defence to explosive rushes down court.
Vanier's Feona Tolentino made numerous fast rushes up court and anchored the Spirits drive.
The Spirits took advantage of the Cyclones missed shots in this powerful down court rush.
The Spirits would lead the Cyclones 17 - 6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Second Quarter saw the start of the shift in momentum to the Cyclones from The Spirits.
The Cyclones outscored the Spirits in the second quarter with the score Vanier 29 - Central 26 at the 10 minute half time break.
The Third Quarter would be a see-saw battle with the Cyclones having the edge in play.
The Cyclones would momentarily take a one point lead in the game 39 - 38 with about four minutes left in the quarter.
However the lead lasted just less than a minute later as the Cyclones would run into foul problems.
A basket and a foul assessed on the play saw Vanier retake the lead by a score of 43 - 42.
It was a lead the Spirts never relinquished for the remainder of the game.
A major turning point in the game was a basket for Vanier followed within seconds by a beautiful hook shot while facing double coverage by Olga Ruberwa with about a minute left in the quarter.
Ruberwa's shot gave Vanier a two point lead 45 - 43.
The score at the end of the third quarter was Vanier 47 and Central 43.
The early part of the Fourth Quarter saw the Spirits steal some of the Cyclones remaining momentum.
The Spirits Kate Waldenberger hit a three pointer 40 seconds into the final quarter.
The Cyclones would make the score 52 Vanier and Central 49 after a back and forth rally.
Central would rush down court only to miss the basket.
Vanier would also rush down court and miss.
Central would rebound and rush back into Vanier's half of the court and finally sink the basket.
A second three pointer would see Vanier take a 10-point lead.
The Spirits would then put the Cyclones away.
Vanier Spirits head coach Christa Lapointe said she was very happy with her team's play in what was a major battle.
“I like these games when it is competitive and it is back and forth and you see the commitment of all of the girls,” Lapointe said.
Asked if there was any worry given Central held a one point lead for about a minute she said definitely but the team was use to playing close games.
“We were really focusing on playing hard in the fourth quarter. Quarter by quarter and in the fourth quarter you want to do your best and the girls really stepped up.”
The team had been preparing for games that had major momentum shifts.
“We talked about the highs and lows but playing that steady game and they responded.”
Asked about how only looking at the first quarter score and final score not showing the real intensity of the game she said it was all about playing a consistent game.
“The team that plays all four quarters or most of them will typically have the best chance of winning. But I know from previous seasons getting the kids to play all four quarters is always the task,” Lapointe said.
“Even with us not having that third quarter we had the fourth quarter. We are getting better everyday.”
About Ruberwa's big hook shot in close and tight coverage late in the third quarter Lapointe said it was a key battle won.
“When you have a nice hook shot in a play like that it gets all of the girl's up and excited.”
She says Central played a great game.
“Central played a great game. They had some great drives and penetration. So it was a fun game to coach. It was a fun game to watch. I’m just proud of the girls from both teams.”
For Central Cyclone's head coach, Tanya McLean said despite the loss it was a great game and effort.
“I thought it was a great game…we held on for three and a half (quarters) and they shot well. They shot well,” Mclean said.
Asked about the second quarter's 10-point comeback and then the dominant play in much of the third quarter she said the Cyclones played a great game.
“I'm proud of them they played a great game. By far the best fame we've played yet.”
Asked about Vanier barely surviving the Cyclone's third quarter onslaught McLean said she agreed.
Asked about the basket followed quickly by the Ruberwa's hook shot late in the third quarter she said it was a big play.
“They shot well. They shot better than us.”
Asked about the team's great third quarter play she said the Cyclones need to play that way the entire game.
“We're working on it. We need to get there,” Mclean said, adding “for three and a half quarters we were there. We literally said (as coaches) this was the best they've played. Defensively the most steals we had. No I am very proud of them.”
Mclean said the play of both teams sets the tempo for what should be an intense and exciting rematch.
