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-
byk, in his 15th year coaching girls hoops at Saint Michael.
Denis Morris, which qualified for the consolation semifinals as the wild card after losing to the Eden Flyers in the second round, defeated the Jean Vanier Lynx 36-25 in one of four games played Friday at Niagara College.
The Reds weren’t expecting to return to the court so quickly after losing to Eden.
“I got the call at 7 o’clock and I had to rally the team and girls had to switch shifts to make it possible we could be here,” head coach Stefanie DeMizio said. “And we did what we could and we put up a great performance.”
Leading scorers for Denis Morris were Jordyn Britton, 11; Lexxus Bell, 10; and Masyn Kwinecki, 6. Corrynn Parker topped Vanier with 15.
Vanier assistant coach Tricia Poulin said the Lynx are learning they need to outwork their opponents. “Yesterday, when we were down – we were down the whole game until the fourth quarter – and when they came back to beat Centennial, that was all from outworking the other team.”
Saint Paul’s loss in the elimination game gave the Patriots a lot to think about as they prepare for the rematch on their home court.
Livia Piccirillo, with 12 points; and Juliana Fabiano, with 11; also scored in double digits for Saint Paul.
Bernd.Franke@niagaradailies.com 905-225-1624 | @ TribSportsDesk