October 17-18, 2019 at Laval Tournament

Quebec, Que.

October 17, 2019 6 p.m. 

University of Toronto 52
Bishop's University 58 (5-1)

            1st          2nd        3rd         4th
UofT      8              8              19           17
BU          10           17           20           11

To be honest, this game was 'frugly.' This was the 3rd time in less than a month that these 2 teams met. Continuing with the theme of honesty, it is not easy to beat someone 3 times in a row because human nature takes over. Who do you think is hungrier approaching a game like this- in my opinion the answer is the team that has previously lost 2. They want to make a statement, they want to make amends. So credit the Blues- they schemed well and their ladies were very determined. So were ours, we just couldn't score for the life of Jehosophat Mountain! Neither team could hit an outside shot: U of T going 1-15 from behind the arc, the Gaiters were not much better at 2-19. Layups were an issue too.

But these young Gaiters found a way to win. OF COURSE special attention was paid to Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield) - she torched them for 32 and 15 (in 15 minutes) previously. Blues coach Michelle Belanger has close proximity to Raptors coach Nick Nurse - so can you say Box and 1 defense on our talented Argentinian?! Yup and that added to offense getting squirrely- BUT WE FOUND WAYS TO WIN THIS!!!! That's a great sign for a young team!
While Ama was being boxed and 1, First year post Katarina Stoupas (Dawson College- I'm so proud!) did great inside work scoring 14 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, co-captain 3rd year Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) (Dawson College- I'm so proud!) also found holes in the box ( hey when they take away something, you give something else up!) wheeled inside with her slippery athleticism for 13 points and 9 rebounds, Ama had 12 points and 4 assists and 3 steals, first year forward Jael Kabunda (Montreal, Que./) (Montmorency)was tough with 8 points and 12 big boards, first year athletic combo guard/forward Deborah Aboagye (Vanier) experienced shooting woes but managed to contribute a game high 6 assists, Sabrina Kone (Hawkesbury, Ont./) a 4th year walk on (Van Kleek Hill, Ont.) deserves special mention. Sabrina, a lefty post (I call her Willis Reed) played 6 minutes and guess what? Sabrina contributed 6 points and 2 boards - now that is something because you just don't expect that in a tight game but this lady comes in and makes things happen! We will take the win, thank you very much and we won't see you again in 2019!
 
 
October 18, 2019 2 p.m.    
           
University of PEI 54
Bishop's University 65 (6-1)

            1st          2nd        3rd         4th
UPEI      17           13           16           8
BU          22           12           9              22

What a win this was!!!!! This was a heck of a UPEI team - last year they went 23-5 overall and 17-3 in the AUS. They also had a 30-0 home streak that was ended last year. These girls know how to win and they have PLAYERS. I was very, very impressed with the coach from PEI- Matt Gamblin, great stuff on offense: simple, fundamental, great spacing, great action. They try to get in your grille on defense (that's not always the best technique- a little too tight leads to 'beat you on the sweep n go!) I told that coach 2 days in a row how impressed I was with his style- heck if I coached like him; I'd still be at it- talk about being calm!
So we started out playing great offensively and we defended their sets. The 3/4 soft zone pressure we threw at them took them out of their regular rhythm on offense. Anytime we made a good run, PEI responded somehow and we were only up 34-30 at halftime. Now this is straight: we came out of the locker room... well some came out now and others came out a little later. Not good.  Got to warm up right after intermission, noted. PEI took advantage of our indifferent start and suddenly Gaiters are down 3 going into the 4th.

With 4 minutes to go we are down 4. AMA TIME! Oh girl! This All-Canadian candidate responded with 5 straight points, her 3 from the top of the key was pro like- 1 hard dribble and bang with 'convicción'- conviction for you that don't hable español!. That was some shot. Ama was great all game- what can you say about a 26 point, 6 assist, 5 rebound, 1 steal effort! And she is starting to get it, at the defensive end too!! Ama had help! Post Katarina Stoupas came into her own this tournament- she wants the ball inside, she shows a great wide target and when she gets it, she takes it hard to the basket- 12 points 11 rebounds (9 defensive- clean the glass and protect inside), Captain Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Captain Metchline Gabelus (Montreal, Que./Champlain College St-Lambert) had 7 points and 7 rebounds and great defense on the ball. Deborah Aboagye contributed 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

And here's a special mention. Sometimes Ama has to come off- she did play 38 minutes in this one. We recruited a diminutive guard from College Montmorency - Maria Cordoba (Montreal, Que./). Maria can move her feet laterally, she can run an offense, and she is a great little athlete. She just shows the level of confidence one would expect from a player who did not start at the previous level. So when she got on the court in her 2 minute stint- PEI went after her. Maria protected the ball well and broke loose from her defender when she was fouled on an intentional. 2 shots and the ball! Well Maria, who definitely wasn't warmed up at this stage- stepped to the line and perfectly bent her knees and followed through, concentrating on the rim and gave the team 2 big time free throws. THIS can change a player's perspective and make their confidence soar. Just in time- thank you Maria! That's why we recruited you! A great team win against a quality opponent on Laval's floor. Two wins actually on Laval's floor. Why do you think we came to this tournament?!

Coach Norman's Remark's:

We are happy with the two wins. We struggled in our first game vs Toronto but beating the same opponent three times is never easy. Happy that we were able to simulate what is in store in conference play. I was very pleased with our performance versus PEI. The ladies really showed some mental toughness and resilience overcoming a tough opponent. We can all take some real satisfaction in that we have finished the non-conference part of our pre-season with the 9th best record in the country. That's the direct result of the hard work these ladies have done. Now we get to play some exhibition games vs three D2 NCAA teams on the road- more opportunity for us to get better!
 
Next Up:
Saturday, Oct. 26 at St. Michael's College Purple Knights               
1 p.m.
 
Post remark: By the way, just want to clear up my status - I am not on the bench this year, nor am I at practice. I am trying to be a good resource for Coach Norman, his staff and players. I am involved with scouting, recruiting, communications and some individual work with players. This is fun for me. Go Gaiters!

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