SLHS Girl Panthers make KASSAA Semis

Feb 18, 2010

The senior girl Panthers at Sharbot Lake High School battled hard in what was a historic game even before it began. In fact it was the first ever KASSAA match to be held at the school since 1999 and the first time a Sharbot Lake team has seeded third in regular season play.

With a record of 9 wins and 3 losses the Panthers knew this match against the Bayridge Blazers, who seeded sixth in season play, would be a tough one.

Both teams have a similar style of play, with great passing and defence.

Panthers Coach Bryan English said pre-game, “We are definitely preparing for a battle and the team that wins today will be the team that swings at more balls and takes more risks.”

Though the Panthers took a quick 10-1 lead in the first set Bayridge turned it on and tied it up but lost the set in the end 27-25

The second was a nail biter and Bayridge came back winning 25-22.

In the third Bayridge came out strong with a 7 point lead early on but the Panthers kept their composure and fought hard, eventually tying it up and winning 25-21.

The fourth was tense from the get go but the Panthers came out winners in the end, taking 3 sets to 1. They will be heading to the semi-finals on Thursday.

I spoke to power hitter Rachel Neadow after the game and she said, “The win was the result of the team not getting down when things were not going our way. Our goal was to stay positive throughout and I think we did a pretty good job of that.”

The goals for Coach English? “We want to go as deep as we can into KASSAA. And we’ll see what happens after that. We’re not looking past that at this point.” That being said he later admitted, “This is a really special team.”

The girls are definitely hoping to make into EOSSAA in Deep River on Feb. 25 and then on to OFSSAA in Kenora, which will cost the team close to $10,000.

Two upcoming fundraisers are being held at Sharbot Lake High School. On Feb. 19, a roast beef dinner with all the fixings, musical entertainment and a live auction and the second, a volleyball-a-thon on Feb. 23 where supporters can make pledges. To purchase a ticket or make a pledge you can call the school at 613-279-2131. Go Panthers!