Three Bears’ last chance
Martingrove trio aim to cap careers with Ontario title Hoops dynasty riding big streak of 45 straight wins
For three members of the Martingrove Collegiate senior girls’ basketball team, winning 45 consecutive league and playoff games isn’t good enough right now. Suzanne Rodger, Erin Brittain and Sophie Carette, key members of this Bears dynasty, know they’ve accomplished something that not many others in town can brag about. But they also have a bit of a quandary. The trio, who will graduate in June, have one last chance to bring an end to another streak — not as long but bothering to them.
Year after year, Martingrove has piled up unblemished records that puts it in a class of its own in the Toronto District School Board.
Tack on back- to- back citywide championships in their past two appearances
Yet, getting past the next level has left the Bears growling.
While Martingrove has made it to the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association playdowns, the Bears are no match against some elite school teams from across the province that show up with their own league titles and loaded with club players.
For the Bears, winning at OFSAA in the games that lead to the medal round just hasn’t happened. Martingrove coach Donna Chambers, a former national team player in England, says the challenges can be quite severe.
“ Most of the top teams have lots of club- level athletes and the difference is that they’re playing the game all year,” said Chambers.
“ It can be tough on teams like ours — especially when they accomplish so much in our league, at our level, and then have to go head- to- head with some of the dominant teams out there.”
While quick exits have left a bit of a sour taste with Rodger, Brittain and Carette, the Bears’ mighty trio are feeling quite confident these days. To get to the provincial TripleA playdowns in Sarnia on Dec. 1 still requires a bit of manoeuvring for Martingrove, which first have to dispose of the West Humber Vikings in the TDSB West Region final today before going up against other regional champs.
“ We do so well in our league and then the frustration hits because there hasn’t been much luck at OFSAA,” said Rodger, the Bears elusive point guard known for her playmaking and passing skills.
“ We might only have 10 players but this is a team with lots of talent. It’s also our final shot at OFSAA and it would be nice to win one game.”
Brittain, a 5- foot- 10 power forward, is taking one game at a time.
“ It’s dangerous for any of us to look ahead but you still do,” said Brittain, one of the Bears captains. “OFSAA has been discouraging but you just never know what may happen the next time around. Getting there is No. 1 on our minds.”
Brittain, who along with Rodger and Carette has also been on the Martingrove list of academic scholars the past three years, came up short going for a medal in hurdles at the OFSAA track and field championships.
Carette has taken more of a philosophical approach.
“ We’re really in this for the fun because this is only a high school game,” said Carette. “ It’s a chance to learn and take on some challenges. We’ve already accomplished quite a feat and that’s what we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”