WCI puts the hammer ‘down’, still comes up with TVRA South East title

Ingersoll skip Taylor Posthumus comes out of the hack during TVRA South East championships. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The hammer in curling can present something of a double-edged sword.

Having last shot or the hammer, is definitely perceived as an advantage. But it also often indicates the other team has scored, and additionally, adds encouragement to respond.

“I kind of like not having the hammer,” said Woodstock CI Red Devils girls’ skip Alexis Schaeffer.

In the first place, she has confidence in her team’s ability to steal, and secondly, it tends to come with a measure of additional if self-inflicted pressure.

“It’s like we’ve got to get points because they’re ahead.”

Schaeffer began with the only hammer she would have or need on Feb. 20 at the Woodstock Curling Centre, opening with a score of three in the first end. She would add steals of one, one, two, one and one en route to a 9-0 Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) South East championship victory over the Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers.

“It was kind of a chill game,” Schaeffer added of an outing in which both teams had their moments and struggles. “But we were able to stick with the win.”

The score was ‘clean’ on the Blue Bombers’ side of the ledger, but an at times ‘messy’ house had provided opportunity IDCI was unable to capitalize on said coach Mike Bryson, particularly in the second and fourth ends.

“We missed a few opportunities to close the gap and that’s what it came down to.”

Although preferring a different outcome on this day, the Blue Bombers coaching staff was very pleased with a squad featuring fifth Addison Husband, lead Jaelynn MacLeod, second Ana Potter, vice Marley Papais and skip Taylor Posthumus. They exceeded their coaches’ seasonal goal of making the playoffs. Not only had they done that said Bryson, but they had made the half-page playoff opener, and following a loss there, won their way back around with a 5-4 semi-final win over St. Thomas Parkside for a rematch in the final.

“So, we’re really happy with how everyone played.”

He and the rest of the staff was also appreciative of the positive attitude and respect shown not only by their squad, but curling competitors throughout the league.

“It makes it very easy for us to volunteer our time.”

With the win, WCI’s focus shifts to the four-team Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association (WOSSAA) draw on March 4 at the London Curling Club. As TVRA South East champion, the Red Devils will open with the TVRA Central (London) second entry at 8:15 a.m. Gold and bronze medal games are scheduled to follow at 11:30 a.m.

Although her goal remains an Ontario Federation of Secondary School Athletics berth - ‘and a medal of course’, heading into a draw facing unknown opponents, Schaeffer’s pre-event focus is more on WCI playing the best it can, both winning and losing as a team.

“That’s all that really matters,” she concluded. “If we play our best, I’m OK with the outcome.”

TVRA South East Boys

The final score was not one which St. Mary’s Warriors boys’ coach Richard Murphy would have chosen.

But he could not have asked anything more from his team.

“They played amazing,” he said following a season-ending 9-8 loss to the Aylmer East Elgin Eagles in the TVRA South East championship game.

The Warriors had faced adversity during the season Murphy continued but came together as it progressed. Skip Carter Skevington’s game also matured, ‘growing significantly’ in terms of execution as well as strategy and tactics.

“And I’m extremely proud of the way they all played in the end, especially in that game - especially in that game.”

The outcome was decided in the final end, East Elgin’s skip scoring the deciding point there.

“Their skip made an amazing shot to get the point,” credited Murphy.

The Warriors were understandably disappointed, he added. But already looking forward to next year, Murphy remains ‘very proud’ of how the 2024/25 team played and developed through not only this year but in past campaigns.

“It was a really, really good season. It’s just too bad it didn’t flop the other way.”