Hometown Heat: Dawson Blues Ride Second-Half Surge into Semis
|
|
|||
|
Quarterfinal #1 – Mariners surge in second half Vancouver Island Mariners 56, St. Thomas Tommies 41 Paige LeBlanc led the charge for the Tommies with a team-high 13 points, battling through a tightening defense to keep her squad within striking distance. However, her offensive spark wasn't enough to counter the relentless momentum the Mariners built throughout the second half. Kaia Simpson commanded the floor for Vancouver Island, asserting her will in the paint to record a dominant double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Her ability to control the glass and create second-chance opportunities proved to be the physical edge the Mariners needed to pull away. This interior presence effectively anchored the defense, forcing the Tommies into difficult shots as the clock wound down. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Quarterfinal #2 – Giants take full control Saint-Jean Giants 66, NAIT Ooks 43 The Saint-Jean Giants delivered a masterclass in balanced basketball, combining clinical offensive efficiency with a suffocating defensive scheme to dismantle the NAIT Ooks. While the opening minutes remained competitive, the Giants found their rhythm in the second frame and never looked back, systematically building a lead that the Ooks simply had no answer for. The turning point came through a sustained mid-game surge, as Saint-Jean exploded for 20 points in the second quarter followed by an equally impressive 21 in the third. This offensive outburst was mirrored by an elite defensive stand; the Giants effectively locked down the perimeter and dominated the paint, limiting the Ooks to a mere 18 points across the entire second half. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Giants' defensive discipline had turned a contested matchup into a decisive statement win. Deborah Damoah was the catalyst for the Giants, putting together a comprehensive stat line that impacted every facet of the game. Damoah led the charge with a team-high 14 points, while her tenacity on the glass (6 rebounds) and active hands on defense (3 steals) kept the Ooks in a constant state of disarray. On the other side, Mikah Reed provided a gritty performance for NAIT, pacing her squad with 12 points, but the Ooks' individual efforts ultimately wilted under the relentless pressure of the Giants' collective momentum. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Quarterfinal #3 – Blues break it open in third Dawson Blues 70, King’s Eagles 53 In the third matchup of the quarterfinals, the host Dawson Blues delivered a statement performance to secure a 70-53 victory over the King’s Eagles. What began as a defensive struggle in the opening half quickly transformed into an offensive clinic as the Blues adjusted their strategy at the break. Leading by a slim 26-24 margin after two quarters, Dawson emerged for the second half with a revamped intensity that caught the ACAC champions off guard. The definitive blow came in the third quarter, where the Blues ignited for a staggering 26-point outburst. This scoring surge, fueled by a high-octane transition game and pinpoint perimeter shooting, effectively broke the game open and put the outcome out of reach before the final frame even began. By the time the Eagles managed to stabilize their defense, the deficit had grown too large to surmount against a disciplined Dawson squad. Mia Simpson was the undeniable star of the evening, carving through the defense to rack up a game-high 22 points. Supporting her in the paint was Mila Garneau, whose physical presence earned her a gritty double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. While the Eagles saw valiant efforts from Jamie Bunting and Tori Day—both of whom recorded double-doubles in the loss—their individual heroics couldn't bridge the gap created by Dawson’s collective second-half explosion. With this convincing win, the Blues officially punch their ticket to the semifinals. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Quarterfinal #4 – Falcons hold firm late Fanshawe Falcons 67, Douglas Royals 62 In the most competitive matchup of the day, the Fanshawe Falcons showcased their resilience by withstanding a relentless late-game surge from the Douglas Royals to secure a hard-fought 67-62 victory. Fanshawe’s ability to maintain their composure under pressure proved to be the difference-maker, as they executed down the stretch to stave off a determined Royals comeback effort that brought the crowd to its feet. The Falcons' victory was anchored by a masterclass in interior defense and glass-crashing from Ashlyn Anderson. Anderson delivered a staggering all-around performance that impacted every square inch of the court, tallying 12 points and a massive 19 rebounds. Her defensive presence was particularly demoralizing for the Royals, as she swatted away 6 shots and hauled in 3 steals to anchor the paint. Supplementing this defensive clinic was Layla MacKenzie, whose 16 points provided the necessary offensive spark to keep Fanshawe ahead during the Royals' most threatening runs. The Douglas Royals certainly didn't go down without a fight, led by a gritty double-double from Mackenzie Dalphond. Dalphond was a force of nature in her own right, pacing the Royals with 14 points and 16 rebounds in a tireless effort to reclaim the lead. Despite her dominance on the boards and the Royals' collective grit in the closing minutes, the deficit proved just out of reach. With the win, Fanshawe survives the quarterfinals and moves one step closer to the podium. |
|||
Informations |
|||
Website |
Schedule & Results |
Watch Live |
Photos |
