Yorkregion.com - Sports - Bulldogs snarl way to York elementary school hoops crown
Bulldogs snarl way to York elementary school hoops crown
Sports
May 10, 2008 08:56 PM
By: Mike Hayakawa
Earlier this year, the Unionville Public School Bulldogs intermediate girls’ basketball team captured the school’s first York Region District Board title.
The school later added its second York Region District Board hoop crown.
This time, though, it came from the Bulldogs junior girls’ squad.
The Bulldogs accomplished that feat by playing on the home court of Aurora Public School and defeating the host 27-18 in the title tilt.
In reaching the final, the Bulldogs defeated Newmarket’s Clearmeadow Public 32-22 in the semifinal.
“It certainly was a pleasant surprise,” said head coach Scott Chin, who also coached the girls’ intermediate club to the York Region title.
Directing, with Mike Leon, players ranging from Grade 4 to 6, Chin attributed his club’s title run to two Grade 6 players — point guard Kimberly Ingram and centre August Ricketts — who provided leadership on and off the court.
“August and Kimberly led the charge,” Chin said of the pair, who logged time with the Bulldogs’ intermediate club and played club ball.
“August is a tough girl, but well co-ordinated. Kimberly is small, but a strong ballhandler,” he said. “And their games are improving, too.”
In addition, Chin thought the rest of the team exhibited plenty of enthusiasm and paid the price to improve on last year’s team that was eliminated in the first round of the regionals.
“Winning the title was a testament to their hard work,” he said.
Chin hopes winning two regional crowns in one season might be the start of developing a basketball powerhouse at the school.
Other players who contributed to the club’s success include Bridget Bethell, Sammy Burton, Kaitlyn Chueng, Emily Pope, Abbey Elliott, Victoria Pistritto, Danny-Mae Toon, Marina Nichols, Shawna Ashmeade-Asphealt, Taylor Essery, Hannah Moore, Kelly Nimens, Megan Shotbolt and Mylene Spence.