In a thrilling finish at École secondaire catholique Algonquin, the Algonquin Barons Sr. girl’s basketball team claimed the 2024 NDA Championship with a 44-32 overtime victory over the St-Joseph Scollard Hall Bears.
The game ended in dramatic fashion, with Vanessa Zwolak hitting a clutch free throw with no time left on the clock to tie the game and send it into extra time. The Barons then dominated the overtime period, outscoring the Bears 15-3 to secure the title.
Zwolak led the Barons' balanced attack, contributing 10 points, while Emily Lachapelle, Hannah Rutledge, Isabelle Bérubé, and Haleigh Hotte also made key contributions. The Bears were paced by Peatyn Siebert and Mira Perron, who each scored 7 points, while Emma Culin added 6.
The Barons swept the best-of-three series, having also won the opening game 34-24 in the Bears’ home gym last Thursday. Strong defensive performances from Jordyn McGinley and Ève Beaudry helped limit the Bears’ scoring, while Mya Carruthers, Aurora Edwards, Kaitlynn Edworthy, and Freija-Mae Francoeur played important roles in the game 1 win.
Despite falling short in the finals, the Bears had a strong regular season, finishing tied with Algonquin and West Ferris at 10-2. Scollard Hall secured the regular season title and advanced to the finals after defeating the Chippewa Ravens in the semifinals. The Barons, meanwhile, ousted the three-time defending champions, the West Ferris Trojans, to set up the final.
With the NDA championship in the books, all three teams will now head to the NOSSA championships, where berths to the OFSAA provincial tournament are on the line. The Bears and Trojans will compete in the AA/AAA event in Sault Ste. Marie, while the Barons will travel to Sudbury to compete in the A level tournament.
Barons Roster: Back row, L-R: Freija-Mae Francoeur, Kaitlynn Edworthy, Mya Carruthers, Hannah Rutledge, Vanessa Zwolak, Ève Beaudry, Aurora Edwards, Emily Lachapelle, Jordyn McGinley. Front row, L-R: Haleigh Hotte, Isabelle Bérubé.
