Net gain for volleyball

Eskasoni Clovers regular entry at Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games

It’s not luck that’s kept the Eskasoni Clovers women’s volleyball team around for so long.

The team has hit the court for about 20 years and is a regular participant in the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games. Longtime team member Alyssia Jeddore said it started off as a team of friends and family.

“When the Games were revived in 2010, we were really excited and we’ve participated in every Games since,” said Jeddore. The 37-year-old from Eskasoni has played for the Clovers since she was a teenager.

“Everywhere the Games went, we followed.”

The Clovers team earned the name because of its green uniform and to bring some luck when entering tournaments in its infancy. Jeddore’s aunt, Shauna Francis, plays on the team, as does her daughter, 16-year-old Alayah Jeddore. She’s the youngest on the team, with the oldest being 55.

“I always watched them play while I was growing up,” said Alayah. “They just recruited me, I guess.”

There’s also a bantam team, the Lil’ Clovers, that’s playing in this week’s tournament. It’s the second year for the youth squad, in an effort to help grow the sport of volleyball in the community.

Alyssia even took her coaching certification and helps coach the school team that began play last year. The roster includes most of the players on the Lil’ Clovers.

“We felt like there’s a lot of us who are getting a bit older playing in the Games and we’re trying to attract more kids to come play,” said Alyssia. “We need to teach the young ones because there’s not much for young girls to do.”

The Clovers posted a 2-0 (2511, 25-16) win over Potlotek on Wednesday night at Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School. The volleyball tournament wraps up today.

Basketball

In hoops play at the Allison Bernard Memorial High School gym, Team Membertou defeated Team Gesgapegiag 49-39 to win the gold medal in the midget boy’s division in front of about 200 raucous fans.

Jaiden Paul, a graduating member of the Sydney Academy Wildcats boy’s basketball team who will play for King’s College in Halifax, led the Membertou team with 18 points in the victory.

The 2018 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games runs until Sunday.

T.J. COLELLO/CAPE BRETON POST Mother and daughter Alyssia and Alayah Jeddore are teammates on the Eskasoni Clovers women’s volleyball team. The team has been competing for 20 years.

T.J. COLELLO/CAPE BRETON POST Jaiden Davis of Team Membertou scored 18 points to lead his team to a 49-39 win over Team Gesgapegiag to win gold in the midget boy’s division on Wednesday.