Maple Grove girls win district championship
Host Panthers defeat Shelburne in title game
The basketball season came to a triumphant end last week for the Maple Grove Education Centre girls, who captured the Shelburne- Yarmouth district championship on their home court, defeating Shelburne 56- 50 in the title game of the district tournament.
Zoe Schwan led the Panthers with 16 points and Janaya Hiltz and Ellie Hiltz had 13 and 10 points, respectively.
For Shelburne, Bella Hagel led the way with 14 points and Brooklyn Hartley had 10.
The Rebels got off to a quick start, taking a 12- point lead early, but the Panthers came back and by halftime they had a 12- point advantage of their own. There were several lead changes in the fourth quarter before Maple Grove finally won it by six.
Lockeport defeated Barrington 80- 62 in the consolation final.
Four players – one from each team – were honoured with the Russell Cushing Memorial Award. The award recognizes players who have demonstrated team spirit, sportsmanship and a love of basketball. Russell Cushing, who died this past January, had been the newest member of the Maple Grove coaching team.
“His sudden and unexpected passing was a shock to all, including our basketball family,” said Andrew Hiltz, one of the Maple Grove coaches, before the district final.
Honoured with the award were Kaya Shearer (Barrington), Harmony Hopper ( Shelburne), Olivia Staines ( Lockeport) and Rayanne Oakley (Maple Grove).
For Maple Grove, winning the district title marked the end of a season in which the Panthers won 19 games and lost five. The previous year they had gone 2-9.
The following is a recap of games in the March 6 district championships:
First semifinal: Maple Grove 41 – Barrington 31
Zoe Schwan had 13 points for the Maple Grove and Ellie Hiltz had 10. For Barrington, Laken MacQuarrie scored 17 and Jade Newell had 12.
Second semifinal: Shelburne 54 – Lockeport 35
Top scorer for Shelburne was Bella Hagel with 16 points. Brooklyn Hartley had 10. For Lockeport, Olivia Staines had 10 and Ashley Hiltz had nine.
Consolation final: Lockeport 80 – Barrington 62
Olivia Staines had 34 points for Lockeport, Rebekah Holden had 15 and Ashley Hiltz also had 15. For Barrington, Laken MacQuarrie had 33 points and Jade Newell had 12.
Final: Maple Grove 56 – Shelburne 50
Top scorers for Maple Grove, Zoe Schwan (16 points), Janaya Hiltz ( 13), Ellie Hiltz ( 10). For Shelburne: Bella Hagel ( 14), Brooklyn Hartley (10). The Maple Grove Education Centre varsity girls basketball team after winning the Shelburne/Yarmouth junior girls district championship. Back row, from left, coach Andrew Hiltz, Skye Lewis, Aidaen Mitchell, Rayanne Oakley, Laura Hanlon, Cassandra Oakley, coach Brent Schwan, Jenna Ebbett and coach Brian Lyons. Middle row: Aurora Seitz, Jillian Hatt, Savannah Watkins, Sarah Lyons, Janaya Hiltz. Front row: Ellie Hiltz and Zoë Schwan. The district tournament was held at Maple Grove Tuesday, March 6. Rebekah Holden is the ball carrier here for Lockeport in a semifinal game against Shelburne, part of the Shelburne-Yarmouth district championships held March 6 at Maple Grove. Teja Hagel is the Shelburne player in the photo.