ORILLIA LAKERS YOUTH BASKETBALL
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After winning gold at Newmarket’s IEM Basketball Tournament in December, the IRP Industrial Rubber U11 Orillia Lakers were seeking a larger challenge when they returned to Newmarket this past weekend.
Having won in the “A” division previously, the Lakers were planning to move up to the “AA” division. When not enough teams registered in the “AAA” division, the Lakers took on an even bigger challenge. They were allowed to play in the “AAA” division and, as defending champs, were still given a chance to cross back over and play in the semifinals of the “AA” division.
In the “AAA” division, the Lakers had four consecutive losses, but the team got noticeably better each game as the team adjusted to playing against some of the very best teams in all of Ontario. Three of the four games were competitive well into the second half. Despite the losses, the Lakers were feeling more confident in their abilities.
The experience paid off when the Lakers moved back down to play the semifinals and finals against the “AA” pool winners.
The semifinals against the Durham Rising Suns saw the Lakers control the game from the start. In the first half, the Lakers beat the Suns full-court trapping defence with excellent passing, forcing the Suns to retreat into a half-court trap.
After taking a few minutes to figure out the new look the Lakers once again found openings. As usual though, it was the Lakers defence that made the difference. The Suns came in averaging 53 points per game in the tournament and the Lakers won 48-33.
The Lakers then played the Guelph Gryphons (5-0 in the tournament) in the championship. Once again defence was the story. The Gryphons had scored 69 points in their semifinal, and opened the game with five points on their first two possessions.
From there the Lakers clamped down and held them to only four more points in the first half. Each player contributed defensively and the Lakers collectively dominated the rebounding battles on their way to a 43-28 victory.
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