Saints go marching into the playoffs

 

by Michael Hugall

The St. Clair Saints women’s basketball program is headed into an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association playoff birth following a 66-54 victory over the Niagara Knights Feb. 15.

 The game against Niagara was a “must win” for the Saints as they have secured fourth place in the OCAA Western Conference as well as a home playoff game.

 St. Clair, has won five of its last six games and is led by second year forward and co-captain Shannon Kennedy who is averaging 19.1 points per game.

“We are not just happy to be here,” said Kennedy. “We are looking to make a long, deep run into the playoffs…. and we aren’t going to settle.”

Kennedy said the team’s focus is solely on facing the Fanshawe Falcons in their final regular season game. That game could determine third place in the OCAA West Divison, as Fanshawe currently sits two points ahead of St. Clair in the standings with 24 points on the season.

St. Clair’s head coach Andy Kiss has a combined 15 Windsor Essex County Secondary School Athletics titles to go along with six provincial championship tournament appearances. He is confident that his players are capable of playing for an OCAA title.

 “Our short term focus is on getting to Scarborough, Ont, and bringing home OCAA gold,” said Kiss.

He added that all players who make up his team have roles to play come playoff time.

“I consider every single player important, regardless of how many minutes they play or points they score, we need all 11 people who make up our team to be successful,” said Kiss.

Lauren Pizzicaroli, a freshman on the team, is averaging 4.2 points per game this season. She said this team has had a “turning-point” moment which has bound the players together for the upcoming playoffs.

“Our ‘buzzer beater’ loss against Humber was a turning point in our season,” said Pizzicaroli. “We realized that not only can we compete with the best teams in Ontario, but have the potential to medal in OCAA (championship).”

Kennedy said that if anyone will be able to take St. Clair into Scarborough, Ont, and win games it will be coach Kiss.

“His philosophy is to apply pressure, take advantage of the opposition’s weakness and leave everything on the floor as a team,” said Kennedy.

Playoff dates are yet to be announced for the Women’s team, however coach Kiss said the team is still going to take the rest of this season “one game at a time.”