Digby Regional’s Lady Mariners and the SMBA Stingrays are forced to take the long route to Provincials as both teams went 0-2 in their respective Western Region championship matches on Saturday.
The Lady Mariners went up against the eventual champions, the New Germany Saints, and fell 63-43 in the opening game of the tournament. Jessica Sabean had 15 points and Katie Porter added eight for the Digby squad.
Digby played a closer game against Bridgetown but fell short 58-50 in the consolation match, with Jessica Sabean pouring in 22 points and Mallory Francis netting 11.
The Lady Mariners will host a qualifying tournament this weekend with the winner advancing to the provincial championships.
In the senior boys’ Regional championships, Shelburne Rebels dominated the Stingrays 91-53 in the first game Saturday. Mackenzie Ford scored 11 while Brandon Goudey and J.P Gaudett added 10 points each for the Stingrays.
Injuries continued to plague the SMBA squad as Mackenzie Ford joined injured starters Jordan Cromwell and Alex Simms on the disabled list during the Shelburne game.
Playing short handed the Stingrays lost to the Annapolis West Education Center Knights 74-62 in the consolation match.
Down 41-18 at the half, the Stingrays launched a comeback and closed the gap to eight with three minutes remaining in the game but could get no closer.
J.P. Gaudett poured in 24, Layton Hill scored 11 and Jimmy McColm added 10. Brandon Theriault pulled down 17 rebounds for the Stingrays.
SMBA, along with the AWEC Knights, will travel to Highlands for a provincial qualifier, with the top two finishers moving on to Provincials.
(BOLD SUBHEAD)
Junior Districts
SMBA junior boys hosted the Annapolis and Digby County Districts, with the Stingrays defeating Annapolis Royal Regional Academy 87- 41 in the first game.
Tyrel Comeau hooped 32 points, while Shayne Clements sank 20 and Colin Ryan and Toby Robar each scored 14 for the Stingrays.
Middleton Martins defeated Digby Junior Mariners 58-31 in the second match. Matthew Hakim netting eight points and Brady Gosson and Tyrice Miller each added six for the Mariners.
The Royals edged the Mariners 38-31 in a hard played consolation game. Tyrice Miller scored 12 points and Ryan Doucette added 11 for the Mariners.
In the championship game, Middleton held a 29-20 half time lead, extending it 45- 27 at the end of the third.
Stingrays’ Shayne Clements and Tyrel Comeau suffered injuries at the opening of the fourth quarter allowing the Martins to cruise to a 61-31 championship victory.
Comeau had 11 points and Clements added 10 in the loss.
The junior girls travelled to Middleton where the SMBA Stingrays lost 31-17 to the ARRA Royals. Laurel Wagner had eight points and Micaella Sabine chipped in five for the Lady Stingrays.
The Lady Mariners’ loss to Middleton set up a Digby and SMBA consolation match, with the Lady Mariners posting a come from behind 36-29 victory to take third place.
SMBA held an 18-9 first half lead but Digby closed the gap to a three-point SMBA advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The Stingrays fell behind as the Mariners’ Jordan Powell went on an eight-point shooting spree and Taylor Robinson added six to pull ahead of the SMBA squad.
SMBA coach Darlene Johns said although her girls finished a disappointing fourth at Districts she was pleased with their 9-11 record, noting the improved level of play she has seen in her three years as coach of the junior squad.
