Mustangs playing Reds in consolation final
Denis Morris makes the most of second opportunity as a wild card
A consolation semifinal between the Saint Michael Mustangs and the Saint Paul Patriots at the Tribune Girls Basketball Tournament Friday in Welland is a story that will be continued.
While the Mustangs advanced to the B final against the Denis Morris Reds on the strength of a 58-47 victory, the Patriots can avenge that loss when the Niagara Falls high schools resume their crosstown rivalry with a regular-season game next week.
Aliyah Glaze, Lauren Carter and Julie Manlow netted 20, 18 and 14 points, respectively, as Saint Michael won its second in a row after losing in overtime to
the E.L. Crossley Cyclone in the qualifying round of the fourday, 14-team tournament.
Head coach Ron Bobyk said the Mustangs found it difficult to rebound to a loss that bounced them to the B side of the bracket.
“We only had seven players, so the girls obviously were starting to get wore out,” he said. “There was a little bit of mental fatigue, turnovers happen.” That said, he gave the Cyclone credit for the win.
“Crossley is really a nice team, they have a nice, balanced attack, young,” said Bo-
that was a key point in the game.”
Dhillon turned aside 37 Colts shots as Niagara held a 42-39 shot advantage.
The two teams will now meet again Saturday in Barrie as the IceDogs open a three-game road trip with stops in Sudbury and Erie as well.
“It was good week, a lot of video, hard week and hard on the guys but it turned out alright and the guys sure played great tonight,” Burke said.
“It will be a completely different game (Saturday). They’re always very hard to play at home. They can score in bunches as well, so we have to make sure we’re ready for them.”
’Dog Biscuits: Liam Ham, Drew Hunter and Elijah Roberts – all lower body - were not in the lineup for the IceDogs ... Maksimov and Ben Jones have registered at least a point in all seven Niagara games this season ... The IceDogs honoured former St. Catharines Teepee Stan Mikita before the game as his former linemates Bob Corupe and Bob Ewer joined St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik at centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop and watched as a Mikita banner was unraveled in between the two Teepees championship banners at Meridian Centre. Former Teepees Pat Stapleton and Terry McGuire were also in attendance.