The North Star Wolves senior girls basketball team hung on in their first post-season game but managed to advance.
The senior Wolves, who had a 6-3 regular season record in WECSSAA Tier 2 play, hosted the L’Essor Eagles Friday afternoon in the opening game of the “AA” playoffs. The Wolves held off L’Essor and came away with a 36-34 victory.
“We were shorthanded and we got into foul trouble,” said North Star coach Dom Silvaggio. “The kids coming off the bench did their roles. June (Buchner) played the game of her life.”
Silvaggio said everyone knew Buchner was getting the basketball but Buchner delivered. One of the times Buchner stepped up was when the game was tied with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter, as she not only hit a three-pointer but converted on the foul shot attempt on what ended up being a four-point play.
Silvaggio said Buchner ranks highly among players he has coached, complimenting her heart, her shooting and decision-making abilities.
“Her upside is unbelievable,” said Silvaggio. “She’s a great kid to coach. She has the heart of a champion.”
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, Silvaggio said the team has gotten better as the season progressed. He said many players are eligible to return, some for as many as two more years.
“Their improvement has been amazing,” he said, adding the future “is something to look forward to.”
Buchner credited her teammates.
“All of us fought hard,” she said. “The other team played a really good game. They got back into it. We kept playing hard right to the end.”
Buchner said the Wolves had a 16-2 halftime lead but L’Essor worked hard and actually took the lead in the third quarter. The teams traded the lead a few times in the fourth quarter before North Star was able to seal the deal.
Regarding her four-point play, Buchner said “I just knew I had to take the shot” and she was confident it would go in. She ended up being fouled on the play and that led to the extra point.
Many of the Wolves’ games this year have been won or lost by wide margins, so she thinks they gained good experience by winning a close game.
The juniors also won their preliminary round game, with the Wolves taking a 45-15 victory against Herman. Coach Nora Newhook said the team played well but it was “nothing special,” as they knew Herman wasn’t one of the stronger teams.
“The real competition comes in our next game,” she said.
The junior Wolves, who finished the Tier 2 season with a 7-2 record, played at Riverside Tuesday afternoon. The Wolves won the regular season game, but needed double-overtime to do it on their home court.
Newhook said they had a rough two game stretch but the last two games they played saw better ball movement and decision making.
The senior Wolves also played last night, after this issue of the RTT went to press, and they were at Tecumseh Vista Academy.
Wolves advance in both senior and junior basketball playoffs
By Ron Giofu
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