The Swan Valley Regional Secondary School gymnasium was busy this weekend, as the Swan Valley Co-op Classic Varsity Girls’ Basketball tournament took place.
The tournament showcased five teams playing in a four-game round robin. Teams participating included the Virden Golden Bears, Minegoziibe Anishinabe Talons, Kamsack Spartans, Margaret Barbour Spartans and the host SVRSS Tigers.
The first game of the tournament had the Tigers matched up against the Talons. The Tigers came out ready to play their first game of the year in their home gym and led 28-15 at the half. The Tigers kept things rolling in the second half and were able to come away with a 55-32 win.
Leading the scoring for the Tigers was Patience Chartrand with 20 points, Jordyn Eggie with 17 points and Kemi Bulycz with six points. Savannah Orosz had 11 rebounds and six points, Daria Brandson added two points, Tyler Petelski had 15 rebounds and two points. Maya Watson pulled down 14 rebounds and added two points while Billie Brandson and Taliah Davy each colleted a pair of rebounds. Chartrand earned player of the game honours.
“We played well against the Talons and everyone was able to get some game time and contribute in the game,” said Head Coach Shayne Yaschyshyn.
Game two saw MBCI defeat Kamsack 68-34, while game three saw Virden sneak out a 60-57 win over the Talons in a close game that went right to the final buzzer.
The Tigers second game was against the Kamsack Spartans. The Tigers were primed and ready for this game and came out firing on all cylinders. The Tigers went up 31-9 at the half and never looked back, closing out the game with a 68-35 win.
Eggie lead the scoring with 28 points, with Chartrand added 11 points. Orosz had 15 rebounds and nine points, Petelski added six points and 12 rebounds, Watson had 10 rebounds and six points, Bulycz had eight steals adding two points, Billie Brandson and Taliah Davy each added two points. while Amber Gott had two rebounds and two points. Eggie earned player of the game honours.
“We were able to work on our game systems and everyone was able to get a lot of floor time which is valuable this time of year” added Yaschyshyn.
The last game of the evening saw the MBCI Spartans defeat the Golden Bears 70-32.
Saturday morning had another nail bitter to kick start the day. Kamsack couldn’t find the ground to catch up and ended up falling 42-35 to Virden.
Next up had MBCI taking on the Talons who came to play with a short bench. MBCI ended up taking the game by a score of 56-38.
The Tigers were next up on the schedule and started their first match of the day on fire against the Golden Bears. The Tigers built a 31-8 lead by half time and dominated both sides of the ball. The Tigers cruised to a 65-31 win.
Leading the scoring was Eggie with 16 points and Bulycz with 12 points. Orosz finished with a double-double (11 rebounds and 11 points), while Watson added nine points with five rebounds, Chartrand added seven points with eight rebounds, Petelski pulled down 20 rebounds adding six points, Daria Brandson and Gott rounded out the scoring with two points each. Orosz earned player of the game honours.
“We were able to play to our strengths against Virden with everyone getting some play time,” said Yaschyshyn.
The loss put Virden into a 3rd place tournament finish. Next up was the consolation game between Kamsack and Minegoziibe Anishinabe.
The Talons went on to take the consolation game, 72-40 over a tired Kamsack team.
The final game of the weekend saw the Tigers up against the MBCI Spartans and that would determine the tournament champions. This was a rematch of last weekend’s Kamsack tournament final.
The Spartans came out strong and built up a six point lead, holding an 18 -12 lead after the first quarter. Foul trouble kept the Tigers behind the 8-ball to start the game.
At half time the Tigers still found themselves trailing by six points. The two teams played even until late in the fourth quarter where the foul trouble once again plagued the Tigers, allowing the Spartans to take the game 52-38.
Eggie once again lead the scoring with 13 points, while Bulycz added eight points. Petelski hauled down 20 rebounds and scored six points, Chartrand added six points to go along with 12 rebounds, Orosz added three points while Watson had seven rebounds and two points.
“MBCI came out strong and we didn’t react well to their press at the beginning of the game,” stated Yaschyshyn.
Once we adjusted we played even from the mid point of the first until the last couple of minutes in the game. Both teams played well defensively and both teams struggled to get any buckets.”
Player of the game honours went to Tyler Petelski.
The Swan Valley Co-op Tournament All Stars for the Tigers, who were awarded collector sweat towels were Tyler Petelski, Patience Chartrand, Kemi Bulycz and Jordyn Eggie.
“The tournament wouldn’t have been possible without our tournament sponsors, The Swan Valley Co-op, and Northern Lites Eatery, as well as our coach/referee room sponsor Tim Hortons and all of the adopt a tiger sponsors.
“The players’ families and everyone who came out to support us this weekend was great” finished Yaschyshyn.
Next up for the Tigers is the RD Parker invitational tournament in Thompson on February 13th and 14th.
The zone play offs against the Dauphin Clippers is set for the following week with the first game at the DRCSS on February 17. Game two will be held at the SVRSS on February 19th at 4:30pm.
A third game, if necessary is scheduled for Dauphin on February 23.