Island Basketball Championships
The annual drive for Manitoulin basketball supremacy took place last week at Lakeview School for the boys’ event and Little Current for the girls’ contest. Lakeview took advantage of their home court advantage by winning the title. Congratulations to Coaches Travis Corbiere and Ory Menzies and their charges: Shade Kaiser, Johnny Bushey, Shannon Debassige, Steven Bebonang, Gabe Hare, Damion Debassige, Quentin Jacko-Nokwegijig, Dylan Corbiere, R.J. McLean and Hudson Hare.
Over in the bridge town the Central Manitoulin Eagles were winning their second tournament of the season and are still undefeated on their campaign! Hats off to Hailey McGillis-Prior, Amber Wahl, Marjorie Scott, Avery Sheppard, Chloe Peltier, Zoe Redmond, Leah Spry, Haylee Cress, Reegan Hutchinson, Lindsay Sheppard, Holly Sagle and Coach Chris King.
E.B. Ellis Basketball Invitational
The CMPS Eagles prepped for the Island Champion by first winning the Espanola tournament in fashion; undefeated! Congrats to: Hailey McGillis-Prior, Amber Wahl, Marjorie Scott, Avery Sheppard, Chloe Peltier, Zoe Redmond, Leah Spry, Haylee Cress, Reegan Hutchinson, Lindsay Sheppard, Holly Sagle and Coach Chris King.
The Eagle Boys, a very young squad, were not able to pick up a win over the tournament but it was a great learning experience. For many of them it was their first ever basketball games and they kept their spirits up despite the challenge of facing more seasoned teams, and learned a lot. They look forward to using these preliminary experiences to bring their game up another notch!
Congratulations to: Jasen Millette, Alex Smith, Michael Hore, Tyler Leeson, Owen Duncanson, Carter Moggy, Joe Graham, Trevor White, Aiden Case, Jaemie Moore and Coach Christa King.
Little Native Hockey League
Here are a few highlights from this past Break’s LNHL event in Mississauga. Taz Lewis has been named a recipient of the 2016 Vicky Corbiere $1,000 Scholarship Award given annually to former Little NHL players and standout students. Former Panther Jeremy Couchie was also recognized with a scholarship.
Some of the other impressive results from local teams included: The Wikwemikong Lady PeeWee Hawks came within an inch of winning the “A” Final but dropped a close one to CMO. Congrats on your silver girls!
The Wikwemikong Atom B Hawks ended up as runners-up in the “B” final. The Aundeck Omni Kaning Eagles, led by Sam Assinewai and Carson Shawana, fell a single goal in the “A” Championship. They dropped a narrow 7-6 decision to pick up the silver medal: great showing in a very strong division.
The coaching staff of Adolphus Trudeau (a former outstanding goaltender with the Wiky Hawks of the 1980s), Jamie Peltier, Randy Recollet, Alanna Trudeau and Sue Ann Oshkabewisens took the Wikwemikong Novice Hawks to the “A” Division Bronze.
Meanwhile the M’Chigeeng Midgets won the “D” Division of the tournament with Nate Debassige leading the way. Finally, the AOK Lady Wolverines fought hard to take the “B” Division Championship final. The event was a great annual cultural home-coming (including hockey) as many families and friends went to have an annual meeting with family and friends from widespread communities.
Deidre, Provincial champion
Former M’Chigeeng and Sudbury Lady Wolves defender Deidre Debassige won another championship this past weekend. Deidre was a standout as her Intermediate “A” squad won the All-Ontario Ladies Gold medal! Deidre is also a member of the Brock University Badgers.
Panther Points
In the NOHA Tournament of Champions Tourneys the Manitoulin Bantam Panthers won two and lost two to barely miss advancing to the semi-finals.
The Midget Panthers had three games in Sturgeon Falls in the Midget “B” T.O.C. sponsored by the West Nipissing Warriors. The Midgets dropped games to West Nipissing 4-0, Sault Ste. Marie 9-4 before downing Temiskaming Shores by a 4-2 count. The eventual winners, West Nipissing, were backed by the solid goaltending of Wiky-boy, Evan Peltier.
In another NOHA final, the Nickel City Sons Minor Pee Wee AA/AAA team picked up the NOHA Silver dropping the series to the Sault Greyhounds. Former Manitoulin Panthers Carson Shawana (Wiky) and Samuel Assinewai (AOK) played strong roles all year for the success of the Sons.
House-league T.O.C.
The Little Current Midget House League sponsored the NOHA House League T.O.C. for the first time ever. The Flyers showed well, tying two games and losing one, just missing the semis!
Laidley shines in Ivy League
The Sudbury Star had a long complimentary story on Michael Laidley and his St. Lawrence Saints last week. Laidley’s coach spoke of Michael as his best freshman who plays with an edge and a fast and his most dependable skater. He also added that Laidley played like a veteran all season and was good enough to be used in all situations.
A good sport is good for sports.
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