Wolves basketball advances in playoffs

North Star’s Tyler Lamarche puts up a shot against L’Essor last Thursday night. The Wolves won the quarterfinal game 35-22.

The North Star Wolves senior girls basketball team is off to the WECSSAA “AA” semi-finals after winning their quarterfinal game.

The Wolves tipped off against L’Essor last Thursday afternoon at home and, much like their regular season match-up, North Star got out to a quick start and wouldn’t relinquish their lead. 

The quarterfinal game saw the Wolves lead 20-2 after one quarter and 23-5 at the half. The lead grew to 33-15 after three quarters and was a 35-22 final score.

Aria Pare led the Wolves with ten points with Lexi Gignac scoring eight. Tyler Lamarche had seven points.

“I think we played really well,” said North Star’s Emma Hadfield. “We had really strong defense. Everyone played with heart and we did what we had to do.”

Hadfield said they liked the fact they came out strong as it got the team excited and they were able to get more baskets.

“We just stepped it up even more,” she said. 

The Wolves’ confidence level is rising, Hadfield believed, and she said if they play hard every game, they can compete with any opponent. 

Wolves head coach Dom Silvaggio said it was a similar type of game to the last time against L’Essor when the two teams met Oct. 16. In the regular season game, North Star led 19-0 after one quarter and went on to win 51-26.

Silvaggio said they played well defensively and were hitting layups early, the latter being an issue at points this year. He said the only disappointment in last week’s game was their defensive rebounding, as L’Essor had too many second and third chances for the coaches’ liking.

Silvaggio said the coaching staff is pleased with their progress.

“I keep reminding myself they are really young,” said Silvaggio. “Their effort is unbelievable.”

Some of the girls got into foul trouble, he noted, but players came off the bench and filled in nicely.

“They did what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “They extended the game for us, which is what we needed them to do.”

The Wolves got a full week between games, as the semi-final game is Nov. 6 at North Star against the Essex Red Raiders. Silvaggio said the additional practice time should prove to be helpful.

The Wolves and Red Raiders went up against each other in the final game of the regular season in Essex, with North Star improving their regular season record to 7-1 after a 38-34 win Oct. 23.

The semi-final game at North Star starts at 4 p.m.

Wolves basketball advances in playoffs

By Ron Giofu