Wolves fall short in WECSSAA “AA” senior girls basketball title game

The North Star Wolves senior girls basketball team captured silver in the WECSSAA “AA” playoffs.

It was a disappointing end for an otherwise impressive season for the North Star Wolves senior girls basketball team.

The Wolves made it to the WECSSAA “AA” championship game but lost a 50-33 decision to the Tecumseh Vista Academy Vortex Sunday night at St. Clair College.

A slow start put the Wolves in a hole, one that they couldn’t climb out of. The Vortex built a 23-9 halftime lead but the second half was relatively even. Wolves head coach Dom Silvaggio said the team’s youth was a factor in the title game and they were “a little bit nervous” coming out of the gate.

“It was disappointing because I thought we had a shot,” said Silvaggio. 

Silvaggio pointed out the two teams were even in the second half, and if some of their shots hadn’t hit the rim and bounced out, it could have been a different outcome. Tecumseh Vista had solid shooting on their way to the championship.

“We didn’t get any luck around the rim,” he said.

Despite the outcome, Silvaggio said the coaches are very pleased with how things went this season. The coaching staff also included Frank Palumbo, Nicole Rusenstrom and Nora Newhook.

“We couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Silvaggio.

The effort in the championship game was outstanding, Silvaggio added.

“We never gave up,” he said, calling it a “satisfying” season.

The team had two seniors – Tyler Lamarche and Ashley Mongeau – with both of them in Grade 11 and eligible to return next season.

Lamarche said they were nervous coming in but they sharpened up in the second half. Mongeau added everyone played hard Sunday night.

Mongeau added they got better as the season went on and neither she or Lamarche expected to be in the championship game when the season began. They hope to be back in the championship game next season, but win gold instead.

The Wolves advanced to the title game with a 37-20 win over Essex in the semi-final last Thursday. That game was played at North Star.

“I think we improved a lot since the beginning of the year,” said North Star’s Lexi Gignac after the semi-final game. 

Gignac said the coaches helped them a lot during the season and prepared them well for games. She added their defense was key against the Red Raiders, as they didn’t let them get on a roll.

Silvaggio said after the semi-final game that their “defense was unbelievable” and the turnovers they caused help key their offense. 

“We held a very good team to 20 points,” he said. “You can’t ask for more than that.”

Palumbo added after last Thursday’s game the Wolves were overcoming their inexperience.

“It’s a testament to our competitiveness in practice,” he said. “Our practices are tougher than some of our games.”

Wolves fall short in WECSSAA “AA” senior girls basketball title game

By Ron Giofu