Cyclones Senior Girls Fall To Meadow Lake In HOOPLA Debut

After a strong start the fourth seeded Central Cyclones senior girls basketball team were defeated 61 to 41 by the number one seed the Meadow Lake Spartans in 4A HOOPLA provincial high school basketball championship play on Friday afternoon.

The Cyclones now advance to the bronze medal game on Saturday against the Melville Cobras.

The 4A girls bronze medal game is Saturday March 28th at 11 am at Vanier Collegiate.

Central Cyclones Addison Simpson goes after a rebound - MJ Independent photo

“We fought really hard. I think their press hurt us. We couldn’t break their press early enough. Our shots just weren’t falling but it was great effort on our part,” Central Cyclones head coach Tanya MacLean said, adding “we’ll just have to regroup and try again tomorrow.”

The Cyclones had some initial success as Addison Simpson got lose and was a threat in close. About half way through the first quarter the Spartans adjusted and began putting two or three players on Simpson.

The move impacted Simpson who became less of a threat.

Central Cyclones Leiah Delizo (left) lines up a shot - MJ Independent photo

The Cyclones had plenty of good shots but they simply failed to go in MacLean said.

Despite the loss MacLean said they would have loved to win but the loss is not overwhelming.

“Meadow Lake is number one and if you were betting you likely wouldn’t bet for us to win that game anyways. I think we fought back pretty good. I don’t think the score reflects really how close it was but again our shots didn’t fall,” she said.

The loss may be tough but the big goal all season for the Cyclones was to make the HOOPLA tournament and go as far as they could.

Central Cyclones Logan Temple (right) attempts to go around an opponent - MJ Independent photo

“All and all they put in a great effort. It is what it is…I’m super proud of them to get this far.”

Maclean said the bronze medal game versus Melville will be a good one.

“We’ve played Melville twice. We know what to expect from them. It will be a tough physical game tomorrow.”

A rebound is covered up

Central Cyclones’ Addison Simpson (right) breaks in for a shot - MJ Independent photo

Central Cyclones’ Ainsley Scott gets around an opponent - MJ Independent photo

Central Cyclones Avery MacDonald (left) tries to block an opponent after an offensive rebound - MJ Independent photo

Central Cyclones’ Addison Simpson (right) breaks in for a shot - MJ Independent photo

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