Senior girls’ basketball Knights, Huskies renewing acquaintance in TVRA Southeast quarterfinals

Huron Park Huskie Ema-Leigh Hamilton heads to the hoop against CASS ‘defence by committee’ including, left to right: Emily Pye, Myla Reissner, Julia Baer and Payton Jones. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Two teams preparing for the Thames Valley Regional Athletics Southeast post-season laid it on the line Wednesday, October 21st at Woodstock Huron Park.

“Gearing up for playoffs,” said Woodstock College Avenue (CASS) Knights point guard Payton Jones following a hard-fought 40-32 victory over the host Huskies.

There was no shortage of intensity from the opening jump, Huron Park coming after the Knights with a full court person-to-person defence.

“They were right around the ball,” said College Avenue’s Myla Reissner. “When someone had it, they had two girls (on them).”

“It was crazy,” agreed Knights post Julia Baer. “We did not do well at first.”

Huskies pressure countered the Knights height advantage, a 2-3 defensive zone featuring Baer, Reissner, Emily and Kat Pye on the back end an intimidating, shot-altering prospect for opponents approaching the basket, backed up by the physical presence of Jill Strik.

“She’s feisty,” credited Baer. “I would not want to play against her.”

CASS led 12-5 after a first quarter dominated by transitional rather than halfcourt offensive play. The Knights extended their lead into double digits (20-9) on a six-point run beginning with 2:34 remaining in the second frame. Strik knocked down back-to-back buckets in transition, followed by a smooth Baer stroke from the foul line following a turnover. As expected, the latter scored her share of two-footers from under the hoop, but also displayed a nice midrange shooting touch, contributing to a team-high 14 points.

The Knights pushed their lead to 13 by halftime and 17 (33-16) heading into the final frame. Huron Park’s Ema-Leigh Hamilton knocked down a three-pointer 18 seconds into the fourth quarter, but the Knights appeared to seal the deal as Lexi Padfield fired a pass to Kaitlyn Vanderspek streaking down the baseline for a lay-in and 35-19 lead with 6:02 remaining.

Rather than folding up their tent, the Huskies battled to the final whistle, point guard Reagan White cutting the gap to 11 on a lay-in with 2:27 to play. White scored all 13 of her points through the final eight minutes, including a three-point field goal and a final lay-up with 3.2 seconds remaining, cutting the final gap to eight.

“It’s always fun to fight back at the end even if it doesn’t work out,” she said.

“Play our hardest,” added Huskies teammate Feyikemi Soyinka.

“Play with our hearts, not just to win,” agreed Hamilton.

The game had not been Huron Park’s best said White, but the team showed up in the third and fourth quarters, playing said Hamilton, like it wanted to from the beginning.

“Not even winning, but just to be proud of ourselves when the game was over.”

Mission accomplished according to Huron Park coach Tyler Anderson, crediting a hard-working group who likes to be on the court working, grinds and does not quit.

“They’re (CASS) tall and the ball was dropping for them tonight,” he credited, adding that while it does sting to lose, the Huskies had put in the effort and hustled for the full 32 minutes. “We couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Hamilton paced Huskies scoring with 14 points, White added 13, V. Caskannette and K. Baan a field goal each and Soyinka one free throw. Baer led a balanced Knights attack with 14, Strik had eight, Maddie Wettlaufer and Vanderspek four apiece, Emily Pye and Elora Baker three each and Reissner one field goal.

It will be Deja vu all over again Thursday, November 5 as the Knights and Huskies renew their cross-city rivalry to open TVRA Southeast quarter-final playoffs. CASS closed the regular season with a 6-2 mark, the Huskies 4-4. The Woodstock CI Red Devils finished with a 7-1 mark following a four-point loss to the St. Thomas St. Joe’s Rams and will host a quarter-final matchup against the seventh seed, that same day. The 3-5 Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors and 2-6 Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers were scheduled for a preliminary round game on Nov. 3 at St. Mary’s, with the winner advancing to quarterfinals.

On the junior side, the 6-2 Red Devils will host the sixth seed at a Nov. 5 quarter-final, while the College Avenue junior Knights, who finished a solid 5-3, head to Aylmer East Elgin looking to extend their post-season run. The Knights lost to the Eagles 39-25 on Oct. 15, but coach Matthew Keith, pleased with a ‘nice little turnaround’ 2026 season, is looking forward to the rematch.

“We’re a different team than when we first played them,” he said. “We’re hoping that will help us.”

The 4-4 Woodstock St. Mary’s Warriors and 3-5 Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers are hosting St. Thomas Central Elgin and Woodstock Huron Park respectively, on Nov. 3. Winners advance to quarterfinals.