Cornwall Lions Midget Selects take first in Gatineau

The Cornwall Lions Midget Selects basketball team was a perfect three for three as they took first in the under-15 A division at the fifth annual Tournoi des Bâtisseurs in Gatineau, Quebec recently. The Lions opened with a 35–31 victory over the Phénix from La Sarre, Quebec. The Lions took off to a 12–2 first quarter lead which they maintained heading into halftime but the Phénix came back in the second half and at one point captured a 2-point advantage. The Lions, however, retained their composure and recaptured the lead with two quick baskets, including spectacular lay-up by Stephanie Boudrias who blew by several Phénix defenders. “That was a key bucket,” said Coach Brian Hickey. “Steph only scored once in the game but the ease with which she beat several defenders seemed to swing the momentum back in our favour.” The Lions’ offence was led by Sarah Ratayczak (10 points), Jessica Lefebvre (9 points) and Rebecca Durocher (7 points). Elizabeth Runions and Michelle Moise also scored for the Lions. In game 2 the Lions defeated the Dragons from Montreal 28–21. In that game the Lions’ offence was again led by Durocher who scored a team high 11 points. Boudrias (6 points), Runions (5 points), Lefebvre (4 points) and Kaitlyn Levangie (2 points) also added baskets for the Lions. The victory against the Dragons sent the Lions to the finals where they faced the Upper Canada Ice, a team that had beaten the Lions easily in an earlier meeting. This time, however, the outcome would be different. The Lions took an early first quarter lead and never looked back, eventually winning 55–35. “It was one of those games where everything went well. We shot a season high forty-three percent and we were able to shut down their main offensive threats,” said Coach Stuart Bougie. Durocher and Lefebvre both scored a season high 18 and 17 points, respectively in the final victory while Ratayczak, Runions, Boudrias, Hannah Cortéz-Kaplan, Michelle McPhee, Melanie Moise and Michelle Moise rounded out the scoring. Cortéz-Kaplan and Ratayczak played a key role in shutting down the Ice’s offence. The Lions bench, including Michelle McPhee, Kaitlyn Levangie, Trinity Gilmore-Poirier and Danielle Poirier-Froats, played a crucial role in the defensive performance combining for 10 rebounds and 2 steals. “They played some important minutes and made key defensive stops while giving our starters a valuable rest late in the game when the Ice attempted to make a comeback,” commented Coach Hickey.