Horton wins Dairy Town Classic
Girls’ team edges closer to hosting regionals Feb. 16-17
Horton Griffins girls’ basketball team took home the banner from the 2018 Dairy Town Classic tournament, held in Sussex, N.B. this past weekend.
This is the second time in three years that Horton has won this prestigious tournament, winning in both 2018 and 2016. The team was not in a position to defend their championship in 2017 due to the cancellation of the season.
This year, the team had a tough path to the championship game, with matchups against the Kennebecasis Valley Crusaders and the Fredericton High Black Kats, the number one team in New Brunswick, in its pool before meeting provincial rival, Citadel Phoenix, in the semifinal and then Charlottetown Rural Raiders in the championship game.
In the opening game, Horton handled Kennebecassis Valley for the third time this year, by a score of 92-72. Sara Cumby led the way with 25 points and earned the player of the game award, while Hannah Fuller edged in 19 points.
The Griffins then lost a tough one in an incredibly fast paced game against FHS by a score of 73-70. Fuller scored 11 points and hauled in nine rebounds for player of the game honours, while Cumby had 23. The loss left the Griffins with a 1-2 record versus the Black Kats on the 2017-2018 season, but coaches Dwayne Macleod and Jay Fuller both agreed that the pace and level of competition in the game made the Griffins a better team heading into the post-season.
In the semifinal, a grudge match was set up against Citadel. Horton once again pushed the tempo and came out with an 83-72 win. Only a few weeks beforehand, Citadel had handed the Griffins an 81-64 loss at home. Horton’s record against their main rival is now 2-1.
Meghan Macleod played tough defence and offense to earn player of the game for Horton. The Griffins had five players The Horton Griffins brought home the gold milk can after winning the 2018 Dairy Town Classic in New Brunswick Feb. 3-4. score in double-digits.
Macleod was also player of
the game in the championship, where the Griffins posted an 82-63 win over Charlottetown Rural. The Griffins smothered the Raiders with full court pressure, creating many turnovers and converting them into high percentage scoring opportunities. Five Griffins scored in double digits in the championship game: Cumby, Sydney Cummins, Macleod, Abbie Fox and Calla Newcomb, who had the best game of her season.
Cumby was the tournament MVP, leading Horton with consistent scoring and great defense. Fox was a steady contributor for Horton all weekend, which earned her a spot on the Tournament All Star Team. Macleod was the defensive player of the tournament. In addition to the tournament award winners, Horton had big performances from two Grade 9 players: Cummins and Ashley Davis.
“It was one of our most competitive
weekends and it happened right when we needed it - after exams and after missing many practices due to weather,” said coach Dwayne Macleod.
“Our results and level of play lets us know we are ready to compete in the post-season.”
Horton hosted at Avonview on Feb. 5 before hosting Parkview on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. to close out league play. Horton should earn the right to host regionals the weekend of Feb. 16 and 17.