First Boys Rugby Claims CIS Bowl Championship
Playing in front of a large and supportive crowd on a muddy A-Squad field the Ridley College Senior Boys Rugby team overcame sleet, 40 km/hr. winds, freezing temperatures and a determined Eden Secondary School to claim the 2011 CIS National Rugby Tournament title. The final score was 10-5.
Eden took an early lead, putting up a try in the corner during the first half, but Ridley was quick to respond. Shifting the pressure back to Eden with strong tactical kicking, Ridley began playing the game in the Flyers territory and it paid off when senior Tiger Maxwell P. blocked a kick and Loosehead Prop Dante P. scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for the tying score.
With play near the Eden try line late in the second-half Ridley Outside Centre Zander M. made a flying tackle on the Eden ball carrier and the ball popped loose. Senior fly-half Zachary G. gathered in the ball, used a quick-step to elude the Eden defenders and dove across the goal line for the Championship winning try.
Girls Rugby Team Finishes Third in National Tournament
The aforementioned Sunday final aginst Holy Cross produced the best Tiger effort of the weekend. Against a big and strong opposition, the Ridley pack dominated all aspects particularly in the scrum, where the newly organized push won consistently clean ball. Maggie Thomas scored her first try of her Ridley career from a nice series of passes.
Returning veterans Chibby and EJ Osakwe played with tremendous commitment at scrum half and full back, respectively, and Morgynne Anthony was a dervish playing at least 4 different positions! Veteran props Jessica Norder and Uzo Azoba never came off the field during the five games, playing bravely through considerable discomfort. Newly appointed captains Chelsea and Sarah provided the critical leadership on and off the field needed to help the rookies understand the game. New backrow players Fran Streit and Taylor Veinot-Willet showed outstanding promise, leading a strong cast of newcomers. This weekend was the beginning of the growth of a team.
View some video from the tournament hosted by Ridley:
Lower School Sports Update
Under 14 Boys Basketball
Congratulations to Ridley’s U14 Basketball team for earning silver in the CISAA Division II Finals Saturday in the Griffith Gym.
Both Ridley and De La Salle College won their respective semi-finals games over tough opponents, Bayview Glen and Appleby College. Ridley’s win over Bayview Glen was hard fought and emotional. Alex Matovic had a stunning first game leading his team with 17 points. Evan Forstinger had 7 points and he was imposing under the basket with 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. Noah Rastegar, Jack Gelbart, and Jordan Politi added to Ridley’s tally with 4, 2 and 1 points respectively. Every point was crucial to winning over Bayview, 31 – 28.
Ridley then took on De La Salle. The teams squared off quite evenly through the first quarter, with defense on both sides keeping the score low–7 – 4 for De La Salle. Through the second quarter, it was evident that Ridley was losing composure and had fallen behind at half, 25 – 12. Ridley showed championship spirt in the second half as the whole team, lead by Evan Forstinger came alive. Forstinger himself outscored the entire De La Salle offense. But Ridley lacked the self-discipline to maintain their offense. Trying right to the end, Ridley was defeated 42 – 35. The boys gave their best in every game, all season long. We are very proud of them for having brought Ridley’s U14 program to the Final Four for the third year in a row. Great job boys for an outstanding season of learning, growing, and enjoyment in the game of basketball.
Under 14 Hockey
The U14 Hockey Tigers capped a very successful season in style last week with a decisive 9-4 victory over Country Day School in the CISAA finals, played at Ridley in front of an energetic crowd. The number two seeded Tigers defeated number three Villanova in a well-played semi-final by a score of 5-3 to earn a spot in the championship game. Nicholas Prestia led the attack with 3 goals, with singles going to Mitchell Young and Mitchell Mendonca. CDS defeated number one seed RSGC 4-3 in the other semi-final to advance to the finals.
In the final game, Ridley broke open a tight game with a goal in the final seconds of the second period. This seemed to spark the offense, as five more goals were added in the third. Prestia added four more in this game, with Mendonca potting two. Luke Court, Jan Kwan and Alex Herbert rounded out the Ridley scoring. The coaches are very proud of this team. Strong play all season produced a 10 win, five loss overall record and Ridley’s first hockey title at this age level in many years. Check out some highlights from the game:
Gymnastics
The Upper and Lower School gymnastics teams traveled to Toronto last week to compete in the CISAA gymnastics championships. Lower School competed first, and dominated the morning. Taking 1st and 2nd place overall in both lower school categories (Arianna Gadinger & Julia Hutton in Level 1, and Ashleigh Sternberg & Morgan Mattern in Level 2). Ridley stood 3 points ahead of 2nd place TFS at the end of the morning. The Upper School (plus LS dynamo Faith Bell) then took over the gym in the afternoon. We had a number of strong results, including 1st place finishes from Mariana Hinestrosa (level 2 bars & floor) and Kennedy Farr (level 2 vault & beam), and 2nd place finishes from Candace Kent (level 1 vault), Mariana (vault & beam), Emma Hudson (level 2 bars), Morgan Aleven (level 2 floor), and Faith Bell (level 3 beam). As a school, Ridley placed second all round, missing the title by a mere 2 pt. difference when the top Compulsory and Optional category scores were totaled. Congratulation to the Lower School Gymnastics Team for their excellent performances. It was a memorable day! We are proud to bring home the CISAA All Round Compulsory Title Plaque!
Athletics Recap for the Week of February 7th
U16 Basketball, First Basketball and First Boys Hockey all won their games on Spirit Night making all Ridleians watching from the stands very proud! The First Boys hockey team win put UCC out of the CISAA playoffs and guarantees them a playoff spot.
The First Boys Basketball followed their win Friday with another one against UCC Saturday rebounding nicely from a couple of losses and keeping first place in the division in sight. Retired Ridley College teacher and super fan Mr. Nick Holmes came out to support the team.
The First Girls finished as bronze medalists in the North American Prep Hockey League. They lost in the semi-finals to Nichols in the sixth shooter of the sudden death shootout. The bronze is a great accomplishment of which we can all be proud. JV Girls hockey girls pushed their record to 4 wins and 2 losses with an 8-1 win against a local womens team Saturday.
Athletics Recap for the Week of January 31st
Though the weather put a damper on a few mid-week fixtures, the overall performance of Ridley athletes last week was far from dull. The weekend in particular was full of great moments including swimming success, rowing races and hockey highlights.
The First Swim Team went to Aurora for their final qualifying meet before the CISAA championships where our girls continued to shine. Erica Balcombe (1st in 200 meter freestyle, 100 meter individual medley, 100 meter freestyle) Stephanie Lam (1st in 100 meter individual medley, 100 meter breaststroke), Bethany Pile (1st in 50 meter butterfly, 100 meter freestyle, 50 meter breaststroke) Megan DeLeon (1st in 50 meter freestyle), Abby Morrison (1st in 50 meter backstroke) and Savannah Cowherd (1st in 50 meter backstroke) lead the way with victories in their events. The Girls 200 Meter Medley Relay teams finished one and two(Cowherd, Lam, Pile, Balcolmbe and Kindellan, Park, DeLeon, Grys) followed later by the 200 meter freestyle relay teams that also finished first and second (DeLeon, Kindellan, Park, Grys and Balcolme, Pile, Cowherd, Lam) On the boys side, top performances were put Jesus Serrano (1st in 50 meter freestyle) and Nelson Hui (two second place finishes). We wish them well as the prepare for the championships next week.
Our Rowers ventured out to represent the school at the National Ergometer championships in Mississauga for the first time in several years on Sunday. Madison Leitch put the Junior A girls division on notice with a Bronze medal finish. Coach Dorland was very happy with the overall performance of his athletes and feels they gained crucial experience as the team now turns to focus on the Ontario Championships to be held at Ridley Sunday March 6th.
On the rink, the First Boys Hockey team moved one step closer to securing a CISAA playoff birth with a sound 5-1 victory at Upper Canada. The boys skate Wednesday at St. Michael’s before returning home on Spirit night Friday with a UCC rematch.
The First Girls also continued to impress winning both games with Wyoming Seminary at Tiger Arena on the weekend including a 6-2 win Saturday night during Seniors Night that secured them the North American Hockey Associations MacLeod Division Championship and a #2 seed for the playoffs
View the pre-game ceremony recognizing the hockey careers of our 7 graduating seniors:
All are welcome to come and cheer on the Orange and Black this Friday February 11th at the annual Winter Spirit Night.
Here is the game schedule:
4:30pm U16 Boys Basketball v. Villanova
6:00pm First Boys Basketball v. Villanova
7:00pm First Boys Hockey v. Upper Canada College
Go Blacks Go!!!
Athletic Update Week of Jan 24
Our Senior teams were on fire last week!
The Senior Girls Volleyball team had a successful weekend at the Eden tournament Friday and are earning a reputation of being a very tough scrappy group after taking multiple games from some top teams. They have a home game with Hillfield Wednesday before going to Brock University for a tournament to end the week.
The Senior Boys Basketball team stumbled a little in the quarterfinal of the Ivan Foster Tournament this weekend only to came back to score 90 points in their final game of the tournament. The boys are in First Place of the CISAA West division and are at Crescent Wednesday and then host St. Andrew’s here Saturday.
The First Boys Hockey team had two wins, one loss and a tie this weekend in the final MPHL regular season weekend event. The boys finish the regular season in 2nd place in the Northeast division (our best finish since joining the league), and are the #4 ranked team entering the playoff tournament which will be at Shadyside in Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks. The boys are currently holding down a playoff spot in CISAA and have games with Appleby, Nichols, and UCC this week.
Last but not least, the Senior Girls Hockey team had a fantastic run with 4 wins 0 losses and 1 tie. The three wins at the beginning of the week put them in first place for the time being in the CISAA since 2007. They host Nichols Wednesday to solidify top spot. They then took 3 of 4 points from Gilmour Academy in Ohio on the weekend. With those results, any combination of two points this weekend (when they host Wyoming Seminary for two games over Senior weekend) the girls will win the NAPHA MacLeod Division title for the first time and will be the #1 seed in the NAPHA playoffs hosted at TCS in two weeks.
Carl Dorland Invitational Basketball Tournament
The senior boys basketball team won the 17th Annual Carl Dorland tournament Saturday afternoon 50-31 over a talented Nantyr Shores team from Innisfil, Ontario (Barrie region). Mr. Dorland’s presence on the bench seemed to ignite the Tigers who came out on the attack playing solid team defence and scoring hi-lite reel transition baskets in leading 15-11 after the first quarter of play. The Tigers built on this momentum early and often in the 2nd quarter to extent their lead to 31-14 by halftime. Geno Bullard played his best game as a Ridley Tiger this afternoon demonstrating tremendous offensive skill but more importantly an improving knowledge of ‘time and score’ when setting the offensive as point guard scoring 9 points and dishing out 12 assists. Cooper Rigg led the scoring with 25 points with many easy ‘bunnies’ courtesy of Geno’s pin point passing. All members of the squad are to be commended on their improving level of team play. Thanks to all of those members of the Ridley family both past and present who came out to cheer on and create an exciting atmosphere in the gym. Ridley returns to league play this coming Wednesday vs. Royal St. George’s College at the Tigers Den with tip off set for 1:30 pm.
Read more about the game in the St. Catharines Standard:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2922459
Two Wins For First Girls Volleyball
Meanwhile in the Iggulden gym, the senior girls volleyball team took on Lakefield College School. The girls continue to show their winning way taking the match easily in three sets 25-11, 25-12, 25-12. All the girls had strengths in the match including great setting from LeAndrea Armbrister and Alison Whitty, good all around court movement, and good communication by all. Monday night the girls were up against an incredibly strong Branksome Hall squad. The girls started out a bit shaky but started to gain momentum late in the first set, demonstrating accurate passing and great communication. Key serving by LeAndrea Armbrister, Chelsea Fischer and Alison Whitty kept us in the game, but it was back and forth right until the bitter end. In an intense and exciting finish the Tigers gave it all they had and with two strong kills by co-captaion Tori Dykstra the match was clenched, taking the last set 26-24. This was an incredible display of volleyball by the girls. Next up for the Tigers will be an away match on Monday versus Bishop Strachan.
First Girls Hockey
The First Girls Hockey Team travelled to Canton and Potsdam, NY over the weekend for the North American Prep Hockey Association cross over league games. On Friday the girls beat Rice Memorial Academy and Northwood Academy, both 5-1. On Saturday, Ridley took on Kuper Academy with a final score of 3-0 for Ridley and Rothesay Netherwood 6-1, but lost Saturday evening against Stanstead (Quebec) 6-3.
First Boys Hockey
The First Boys Hockey team participated in the St. Francais University Showcase over the weekend. The boys won their first three games 7-2 v. St. Edward’s (Ohio), 5-2 v. St. Micheal’s (Toronto), and 8-5 v. St. Francis (Buffalo – the host team). But lost in the final to Nichols School from Buffalo.
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Girls’ Basketball Players 2 of top 20 in Region!
Franziska Streit
Ainsley Camroux-Peacock
Grade 12 student Ainsley Camroux-Peacock and Grade 11 student Franziska Streit have been selected to participate in this year’s Niagara Regional Girls Basketball All-star game – the Annual North-South Classic. Ainsley is playing for the Zone 4 Top 10 team and Franziska is playing for the Zone 4 Top 20 team. They’ve been identified as 2 of the top 20 basketball players in the region. Well done! Mr. Dave Whitty – coach of the First Girls’ basketball team will be coaching both Zone 4 teams team. The games will be at 7 and 8:15 p.m. at St. Catharines Collegiate.
First Boys’ Basketball Face Disappointing Loss
All season long the coaches have preached the concepts of 1) TIME AND SCORE – knowing when to go and when to slow and 2) DISCIPLINE TO DETAIL – executing the little things that can make a difference both in basketball but also in life! Unfortunately sometimes we need to live the lesson rather then listen to it. Last night was one of those rare moments in sport where in less then 30 seconds both of these concepts were learned the hard way.
The Tigers trailed the hot shooting Redcoats 32-22 at half time but the boys came out on fire to start the third quarter by pressing the Redcoats into submission at times only to miss the easy shot or turn the ball over but clearly the tide of the game was turning in Ridley’s favour. Ridley led by the end of three quarters of play 42-41.
The fourth quarter was a spirited back and forth affair with athletic passion demonstrated by both teams. Ridley stretched their lead at one point to 7 points but the Redcoats would not be denied. Ridley led 53-48 when a tough choice of play and a resulting foul sent the Redcoats to the line and their comeback began. Ridley still led 53-52 with 13 seconds remaining but a series of tough plays and bad judgement ended any hope of a Tiger repeat.
The Tigers were led in the final by Cooper Rigg 24 and Kristers Moisejs 13 points. Making the tourney all-star team were Cooper Rigg, Kristers Moisejs and Geno Bullard.
The team would like to thanks all of the parents, alumni and ES students for their support. An exciting night for high school athletics!
Next up, Exams, then Santa and the Ridley Dorland tourney Jan. 7-8th 2011
Read about the final in the St. Catharines Standard:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2876234
First Boys’ Basketball Advance to Finals
The senior boys basketball team got off to a bit of a rocky start last night but eventually righted the ship in disposing of Holy Cross Secondary School 68-33 in semi final action in the 49th Annual St. Catharines Standard basketball tournament. Tied 10-10 after a sloppy first quarter the Tigers started to find their game early in the second quarter and by half time had secured a 32-19 lead. In the third quarter the relentless Tiger pressure finally got to the Raiders squad and a comfortable lead was established. Leading the Tiger attack was Cooper Rigg 25, Geno Bullard 18 and Kristers Moisejs 10 points.
Next up, a 7:30 p.m. championship encounter at the St. Catharines Collegiate gym tonight vs. perennial powerhouse Governor Simcoe Redcoats.
Hopefully the Collegiate gym on Friday night will be a sea of ORANGE AND BLACK.
TIGER SPIRIT – CATCH IT!
Watch the tip-off with commentary from Mr. Martinez:
https://www.ridleycollege.com/podium/tools/SlideShow.aspx?a=103718
Read about Tiger guard Geno Bullard in the St. Catharines Standard:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2873407
First Boys Basketball Advance to Semi-finals!
Ridley’s pressure defence created many high percentage shots early and often in yesterday’s decisive win over visiting Blessed Trinity Secondary School 74-27. Balanced scoring, exceptional pressure defence and a deep bench were all major factors in last evenings win. Kristers Moisejs (with his parents from Latvia in the crowd) led a balanced Tiger attack with 14 points while Cooper Rigg had 13, Geno Bullard scored 11, and Cam Sweetnam, Nick Green and Weston Saunders all chipped in with 8 points each. Next game is this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in a semifinal encounter with a talented Holy Cross Raiders team. Go Blacks Go!
Read the article about Ridley in today’s St. Catharines Standard newspaper :
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2869323
OFSAA Bronze
Congratulations to the Ridley Girls’ First Basketball Team on capturing the bronze medal at the 2010 OFSAA ‘A’ Championships this past weekend!
Trailing 31-28 with under a minute left in the final bronze medal game Tiger Co-Captain Charlotte Clarke stole the ball at mid-court and ran the rest in for an uncontested layin that brought Ridley within 1 point of the lead. Two missed foul shots by opponent Sacre-Couer gave Coach Whitty an opportunity to call his final timeout with 14.1 seconds left on the clock. Ridley Co-Captain Ainsley Camroux-Peacock drove down the floor and missed her initial jump shot, but with only 3 seconds left in the game managed to get her own rebound and connect on an off-balance jump shot at the buzzer, securing a 32-31 win and the bronze medal for Ridley! The team finishes the season with an impressive overall record of 21 wins and 5 losses.
Silver Medal in Girls’ Hockey
The First Girls’ Hockey Team was in Detroit, Michigan last weekend for the Belle Tire North American Friendship Tournament. The tiny team played 5 games in 3 days, and most skaters logged over 30 minutes of ice time each game. Goaltenders Karlyle Robinson and Allie Mitchell performed admirably in net, and the support from the small group of parents who travelled was greatly appreciated.
Ridley faced hometown powerhouse Belle Tire in the Championship game. Seniors Rylee Mezzarobba and Emily Van Diepen delighted the crowd with the singing of “O Canada” to start the game. Sarah Robichaud had the hot hand on the weekend, and put Ridley on the scoreboard first (Cox, MacNeil). Belle Tire managed to score with just 52 second left in the period to tie it at one.
The score remained deadlocked, with the Tigers having a few strong scoring opportunities. Late in the second period, Robichaud stole the puck at centre ice and dashed in on a breakaway. The Belle Tire goalie had to come up with a miraculous save to deny the Tigers the lead.
Fatigue crept up on Ridley at the end of the third period and the Tigers found themselves in penalty trouble. Down 2 players for the remaining 4 minutes of the game, Belle Tire was able to convert on the 5 on 3 advantage with just 1:25 remaining in the period.
The Tigers came up short, but only on the scoreboard. The ladies return to Ridley as silver medalists.
Silver for Boys Hockey
Last weekend, the First Boys Hockey team travelled to Toronto to take part in a revived Barrow Varsity Boys Hockey Invitational at Upper Canada College. The boys enjoyed a very successful run to the championship game with wins against Upper Canada (4-1) and St. Francis Prep (5-2) and a shootout loss to Culver Academy (6-5). After beating the Eagles earlier in the week (8-6), the tournament championship game between Ridley and Culver proved to be the rubber match in this mini-series. The Tigers battled hard but ran out of gas taking the silver in a 6-3 loss. Another solid tournament result for the Orange and Black.
Can They Do it Again?
The First Boys’ Basketball Team opened the 49th Annual Standard Basketball tournament Monday by soundly defeating Smithville Christian College 67-12. Freshmen point guard Nick Green led the Tiger attack with 18 points (6, 3 pointers). The boys advanced to the semi-finals Tuesday night after a 74-27 victory over Blessed Trinity Secondary School. Balanced scoring, exceptional pressure defence and a deep bench were all major factors in the win. Kristers Moisejs (with his parents from Latvia in the crowd) led a balanced Tiger attack with 14 points while Cooper Rigg had 13, Geno Bullard scored 11, and Cam Sweetnam, Nick Green and Weston Saunders all chipped in with 8 points each. Next game is this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against the Holy Cross Raiders. The Boys basketball team are the defending champions and top seeds for the tournament. Go Blacks Go!
