Cyclones Battle Hard In Emotional Loss

Emotions ran hard as the Central Cyclones senior girls basketball team lost the provincial bronze medal championship game 48 - 37 to the Melville Cobras on Saturday.

It was a game that saw both teams come out equal in the first quarter at which time the Cyclones took the lead in the second quarter.

A fast play to a Melville player deep behind Central’s defence ended up in a basket which seemingly swung the momentum to the Cobras’ favour.

The Cyclones worked hard but the Cobras pulled away.

The Central Cyclones warming up - MJ Independent photo

The last few minutes of the game turned into a chess match as both coaches took timeouts to counter what the other team was doing.

Central took a time out at 5:56 in the fourth quarter and the score was 41 - 33 in Melvilles’ favour.

The Cyclones push hard for a bucket but the ball went off the rim.

Just 13 seconds after the Cyclones took a time out the Cobras took a time out. Suddenly Central’s strategy vanished.

Melville Cobra’s Amelia Brown flies over top of Central’s Dru Ansell - MJ Independent photo

“It was a tough one,” Central Cyclones head coach Tanya MacLean said.

“It was a tough one. I mean we gave our all but the ball wouldn’t go into the basket for us and there were too many turnovers,” MacLean said.

Despite the loss the Cyclones had proven the many neigh sayers wrong she said.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to be at HOOPLA at all. We got fourth. We were super competitive. I’m super proud of them. It’s an accomplishment to be here.”

MacLean said what got the Cyclones to HOOPLA was “lots of hard work.”

Maclean was philosophical when asked what her feelings were about the game.

“It’s never a great feeling to lose but I mean it was a close game right to the end but I mean it is what it is. They just made more baskets than we did today,” she said.

Regarding the breaking pass that gave Melville a momentum boost she said it wasn’t that the Cyclones had ran out of steam,

“I don’t think they ran out of steam they get frustrated” and you have to try to keep focused for 40 minutes.

“That’s basketball it’s always about momentum. They picked it up in the end and we didn’t.”

Although she wouldn’t deny or confirm I think it looks great.

“We have five grade tens playing. We lose three grade twelves but…but it looks promising for sure,” MacLean said.

Grade 12 student Addison Simpson’s playing career with the Cyclones is now ended but she cherishes the experience.

“It’s been a great four years that I played with the same coaches…it’s been a great experience I felt lucky to have these girls as coaches and play with these girls for the last two years,” Simpson said.

This year’s HOOPLA run is one she is proud of.

“I’m really proud of our team for getting here we’ve come so far and we’ve played a good game the last couple of games I feel good I am so proud of them.”

Simpson was philosophical about the loss.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted. I’m so happy for my teammates for getting here in the first place. It was a great game and of course it’s sad we didn’t win but it was still a good game,” she said.

Opponents showed Simpson respect for her basketball abilities dropping her usual scoring output. She often was covered by two or three opponents.

The grape jelly crew from Melville was out in full force - MJ Independent photo

“There was definitely some times I felt like I couldn’t do anything because there was a lot of people on me but I just created open spaces for my teammates to score,” Simpson said.

The Cyclones first game against Meadow Lake saw Simpson face heavy coverage making it hard to charge the basket.

“It was just a little frustrating trying to get the ball…there are other options with our team…” she said.

Dru Ansell is a grade ten student in her first official season with the team. Last season she was called up as a grade nine.

Getting to HOOPLA this year is big she said.

“It feels great. We weren’t sure at the start of the year if we were going to make it here so it feels great,” Ansell said.

Getting to HOOPLA wasn’t easy.

“We worked really hard throughout the season practically everyday. Going to tournaments. By working hard and trying our best to make it here.”

“We worked really hard and we deserved to be in that game.”

Uniqueness is how Ansell describes the trip to HOOPLA this season.

“It’s a very unique experience for me. I got to play up with them last year so playing with the team as part of the team this year feels really great. Getting experience playing with the grade twelves and the higher level (of competition) to Junior is amazing,” she said.

Ansell said the teammates are all close friends.

“I think the chemistry we are all very close We were friends and there wasn’t a moment where we weren’t supportive of each other. It wasn’t just about basketball it was more than that.”