NNEC hosting varsity girls tournament

The girls varsity basketball team at NNEC will be tested this weekend when they host an eightteam tournament.

“It should be good. Some of the teams are always tough, but we’re hoping to get good results,” said Abbie Delaney, a co-captain and one of the three Grade 12 students on the team, along with Lucia MacKay and Courtney Smith.

She described the squad as generally small and young (they have only one Grade 11 on the roster), but with quickness.

Coach Andy MacKay said the Gryphons are “arguably in the top 10 in the province,” and said the players are beginning to grasp oncourt concepts that he and assistant Pat Delaney have installed.

“The kids are starting to understand the offensive and defensive schemes, so we’re getting better.”

While they got off to somewhat of a rough start this season, the Gryphons have shown signs of growth in the past few weeks; they took Horton High School to overtime in a recent game, and also beat Moncton High in front of about 500 students at the New

Brunswick school.

MacKay called it “quite a game for the girls” with Moncton fans

filling the bleachers and sitting on the floor, tight to the action, as the Gryphons overcame that environment

by grinding out a twopoint win against what he said was one of the best girls basketball teams in New Brunswick.

“It was really intimidating at first,” Delaney said of playing a road game in front of a large gathering of fans, “but once you start playing, you just block it out.”

A total of eight teams are taking part in the North Nova tournament, which starts Saturday morning. The Gryphon will open with a 10:30 a.m. contest against the Dartmouth High School Spartans.

Games will he played at North Nova Education Centre as well as New Glasgow Academy.

Pool A

NNEC Gryphons Dartmouth Spartans Lockview Dragons Auburn Drive Eagles

Pool B

Citadel Phoenix Horton Griffins

Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals Harrison Trimble Trojans

Schedule Saturday

10:30 a.m.: NNEC vs. Dartmouth

5 p.m.: NNEC vs. Auburn Drive (at New Glasgow Academy) Sunday

10 a.m.: NNEC vs. Lockview 2:45 p.m.: Consolation Game 4:30 p.m.: Championship Game

KEVIN ADSHADE/THE NEWS The NNEC Gryphons are hosting a girls varsity basketball this weekend on their home floor. Team members in front from left are: Raegan MacDonald, Abbie Delaney, Lucia MacKay and Courtney Smith. In back from left are: coach Andy MacKay, Jade Butler, Isa...