Vanier Loses Nail Biter Last Minute Championship Game
It was a heartache, nothing but a heartache for the Vanier Spirits as they failed to repeat as 4A girls provincial basketball champion falling a close 57 - 54 loss to the Meadow Lake Spartans.
Played in front of a packed Vanier Collegiate gym the Spirits held a slim two point lead with three minutes left in the game.
In the minutes leading up to the Spartans taking the lead for good the game had alternated between one team or the other having a two point lead.
Each time one of the teams pulled ahead it felt like the momentum of the game immediately shifted and that team’s favour. It made for a roller coaster ending for the game.
Vanier goes baseline in an attempt to score a basket
Spartans top scorers:
Sienna Anderson - 22 points
Fayth Spencer - 14 points
Spirits top scorers:
Kate Waldenberger - 24 points
Waverley Demassi - 11 points
Vanier’s Kate Waldenberger attempts to catch up to a loose ball
“Oh, it was definitely disappointing but it was a nice game and that is how you want a championship game to play out,” Vanier Spirits head coach Krista Lapointe said.
For the Spirits the lost ones doubly heartbreaking because winning would have meant the team repeated as provincial 4A girls basketball champion and the final game was played at their home gym.
Lapointe said the Spirits struggled to get the ball in the hope whereas the Spartans didn’t especially can you opening half.
“It was a very exciting championship game and I’m proud of both teams. For us, we struggle to get our old fence going, and get the ball into the hoop,” she said.
The Spartans Deena Rediron (right) attempts to corral a rebound
The point said she was extremely proud about how despite being down the Spirits never quit and kept battling back.
“We had moments of greatness, and we just fell short.”
Asked if she thought it was anti-climatic given the events of the last week, where it was not known if the teams would be allowed to play, and to lose by a mere three points Lapointe said it was.
“Our team and even parents and coaches said we’re done. In regionals we ended on a high and then to think it off is it on is it off? We are very thankful for the opportunity to have today.”
“It wasn’t the same journey as last year. But regardless, everybody needs to come and work hard. Both did. Both sides of the gym (came ready) I’m proud of everyone,” she said.
There was plenty of battling for the ball right at court level
Asked about how it felt being on the bench and having the score going from having a lead, and then being behind, and then having a lead, and being behind Lapointe said “it was exciting.”
“On the bench it’s exciting. You get elevated. You get engaged . You have to try to keep everything cool and keep moving together. But you know that’s exciting.”
despite being behind at the house she said her philosophy was if you can keep it within 10 to 15 points, you have the opportunity coming back you have a game.
“We got it there. We got the lead. We just couldn’t hang onto it.”
Vanier during a time out
The Spartans playing a zone defence impacted the Spirits playbook.
“We haven’t seen zone for quite a long time. For us offensively, we can we have played against man most of the season. Kudos to them they zoned us,” Lapointe said. “it took us a little bit to get our rhythm.”
For the Spirits having five grade 12s on the team from last year’s provincial championship win, had the hopes the team could repeat last year’s victory.
The point said, she would like to complement all of the people in organizations who made having the one day tournament possible by setting it up on such short notice.
