Basketball
Canada Takes Opener
Three games in three day’s – and win them all! That’s a goal that the National Team has in mind, rather than just play for the moment.
This following a two-week camp with intense half court offence against the other half of the team. Not exactly exciting, but it worked!
Not an easy task considering that Team China has already qualified for the 2012 London Olympics as the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions.
The Canadian National Women’s Basketball team is playing host to China for a three game series in what is know as the Jack Donohue International Classic.
The three game series are played at LEC in Langley, the Richmond Oval and University of Fraser Valley, which run Wednesday to Friday.
The annual international tournament was launched in 2005 in recognition of a true legend that made tremendous contributions to the sport of basketball.
This tournament provides an opportunity to showcase Canada’s National teams in preparation for the upcoming FIBA events.
This summer, Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team will prepare for the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women the last Olympic Qualifying tournament.
The games are important in the preparation for Canada’s SWNT as they head to the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Turkey June 25-July 1st.
China had not seen Canada play in a while, so maybe this game was a shock to what they were used to seeing.
Head Coach Allison McNeil who runs an intense practice and demands nothing less than perfection had her squad up for this with impressive hustle for the ball, ran screen’s and managed rebound after rebound.
From the perspective of Allison, communication is imperative and when that stops – nothing happens.
Mission grad Kim Smith put on an impressive show for her family and friends, managing a game high of 20 points as well as 8 rebounds and 5 assists.Up and coming Ayim finished with 12 points and impressed both coaches with her aggressive style of play.
At one point China rallied to a 8-0 run grabbing a 27-24 lead.
This saw McNeil call a timeout and from this point in the game, they never relinquished the lead.
Canada’s tallest player is 6’6” while China’s is 6’9’. Size clearly does not matter when it comes to sport.
Two games remain in this set, so let’s keep cheering our squad and help them make 2012 a year to be proud of!
Photo of opening “tip-off” taken by Laird Allan