Senior Girls Invitational Tournament Tips Off

Thursday evening saw varied results for the local teams entered in the Moose Jaw Senior Girls Basketball Tournament.

Running from Thursday until Saturday the tournament has drawn 14 teams from across the province - down from the planned 16 teams when two teams had to cancel at the last minute.

Thursday evening saw the Central Cyclones and Peacock Toilers lose there opening games.

The Vanier Spirits posted a convincing win.

Central Falls Just Short

For the Central Cyclones it was a disappointing 48 - 44 loss to the Wynyard Bears.

At one point Central had an 11 point deficit but they managed to push it back in the final few minutes of the game.

The first quarter looked like it was going to be an Addison Simpson night as Wynyard left the center lane open and Addie drove in largely unmolested.

The second quarter saw the Bears employ the press making it difficult for the Cyclones to break out of their half of the court.

The smallest player on the Cyclones grade 10 student Khloe Berner was a huge asset for the team. Berner had a very high shooting percentage and despite her size was one of the most aggressive and feisty members of the team.

“I think we hung in there. It was a physical game. I think out girls worked really hard. Their press killed us,” Central Cyclones head coach Tanya McLean said.

“We couldn’t break their press early enough.”

Asked about the physical nature of the game she said they didn’t know much about Wynyard other than to expect a quick and aggressive opponent.

“I think we were prepared for them. We just had too many turnovers and we couldn’t break their press,” she said.

It’s all part of the learning process she said.

“We have a lot of young guards and they’re learning. They got better by the end and that what matters,” McLean said.

The press shutdown what initially looked like an open center lane and Addison Simpson having a massive scoring spree but then the press came out.

“It was working until they pressed us and we couldn’t get the ball over half and take advantage of it”

Despite the press being out the Cyclones managed to fight back and lost control of the ball in the last minute when they had the momentum and were threatening.

“We were right in it. It was just our turnovers. We have to find a way to take care of the ball better.”

Cyclones Addison Simpson fights for position before making a shot - MJ Independent photo

The main emphasis for the cyclones it’s just just improve during the tournament McLean said. At the present time, the team is out their main point guard and there is a big hole to fill.

“Everybody is ready for the chance to step up and work hard.”

Asked about having the smallest player on the court shooting at a high percentage and being right into the thick of things McLean said it was a good thing.