KASSAA basketball - Golden Eagles squash Panthers at Sharbot lake

Oct 27, 2011

Photo: Sydenham's Golden Eagles soar out of the Panthers reach

Sydenham’s and Sharbot Lake’s junior girls basketball teams squared off in Sharbot Lake on Oct. 20, with the Golden Eagles giving the Panthers a run for their money. Sydenham took an early lead and maintained it throughout, never once giving the Panthers an in, though there was lots of action at both ends of the court. The Panthers played a great passing game but failed to get the ball in deep when it counted and by the end of the first quarter Sydenham was up 10-0. In the second the Golden Eagles’ leading scorers Emily Bennett and Katie McNicols shone bright and scored multiple points, increasing their team’s lead by 19 points. Sharbot Lake’s Anna Baker put the Panthers on the scoreboard late in the quarter for the first time and the quarter ended 23-2. In the third, Sydenham scored another 13 points, widening their lead, and the Panthers scored 4 more, ending the third 34-6. In the final quarter the Panthers turned it on, penetrating the net and scoring six more points, their best in any one quarter but it was too little too late. The Eagles took the game with a final score of 38-12. Panthers’ coach Ben Moser has struggled in the past to get players out for the junior girls’ team, and said he was thrilled to have 13 young and enthusiastic players this year. “We have a very enthusiastic team who are very excited to play. Right now we are working on our offense and while winning is not our focus, the main goal of the year is to improve at every game.” The Panthers, who have yet to win a game this year, are definitely improving and Thursday’s game was in their coach’s estimation “by far their best defensive game to date”.

Sydenham’s co-coach Mark Richards said his team is having a great season so far. Mid-way through the season the Golden Eagles have won 6 and lost just 2. Richard said the team’s strength is their speed and defense and he is currently having the players focus on their fast breaks. High scorers for Sydenham on Thursday were Emily Bennett, who scored 12 and Katie McNichols who scored 8. Richards says he hopes the team improves every game and is working hard to get the Golden Eagles ready for the playoffs.