By Dan Plouffe
The Ottawa South under-12 girls each have a new medal for their trophy case thanks to their runner-up performance in the top division of the Apr. 11-13 Ontario Cup basketball event, but the feelings of family and community tied to it will likely outlast any of the action that took place on the court at Algonquin College.
A terrific symbol of those positive sports memories came in the team’s post-game human tunnel run when the players high-fived teammates, opponents, coaches and parents in a high-energy display.
“I’m really, really proud of them for that,” signals Ottawa South coach Patrick Fraser, noting the celebration is fuelled by the players, not coaches or parents directing them to do it.
“It’s something you do when you start ball when you’re five years old, but it usually leaves when they turn seven or eight, they might think they’re too mature for it or whatever, but this group has maintained that. And I love it. I would never stop that.
“You see our team do the tunnel, and then the other team does the tunnel, and it’s really nice for all the parents, they go on the sidelines and every parent gives a high-five for both teams. It’s such a nice tradition. Just a great way to end every game.”
The players’ inspiration for the cheer tunnel stems from the team’s prioritized values. Ottawa South is a hard-working group – they’ve practiced over 100 hours together since the fall, which of course was an essential piece to their silver medal prize – but the team’s #1 goal was to build friendships this season.
“This young group of women leaders came together – some as friends, some as strangers – way back in September, and so we, as a coaching staff and as parents, worked to instill a sense of family and community as early as we could,” recounts Fraser, whose team went bowling together, and tossed a football around at the park.
“These basketball players are young, and they still have a lot of choices ahead of them,” he adds. “I think some of us have our fingers crossed that they stay in basketball, and if that’s done through friendships and building community, then I’ll take it over the love of basketball anytime.”
A related key ingredient in Ottawa South’s successful season was playing collectively as a team and not as individuals, notes Fraser, whose squad beat Brantford 39-28, North Toronto 37-14 and Oakville 46-33 to reach the Ontario Cup Division 1 final, which the East York Eagles won 33-21.
Ottawa Next Level came closest to knocking off East York in a 26-25 defeat on opening night. ONL went on to win 33-31 over York North, 36-27 over Huron and 32-23 over Oakville to capture the Div. 1 bronze medal.
The Nepean Blue Devils won gold and the Ottawa Shooting Stars took bronze in the Div. 3 event at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School, while another ONL entry nabbed silver in Div. 7 at Brookfield High School.
A total of 49 teams competed across the seven divisions of the Ontario Cup, while the age group’s top eight teams faced off at the provincial championships at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.
Ottawa South revelled in having the opportunity to have the Ontario Cup in Ottawa, having played the lion’s share of their five tournaments this season in Toronto among their schedule of roughly 35 games in total.
Visiting teams told Fraser they were excited to travel to Ottawa, and some planned to visit the Parliament Buildings between their games. Fraser was also grateful to have leaders like the Ottawa Basketball Network helping to make things run smoothly, and he felt privileged to have referees for U12 who regularly call Carleton Ravens and uOttawa Gee-Gees games.
“That’s just the type of class and calibre that the Ottawa basketball community has, and we’re able to showcase it this weekend,” he highlights. “And look where we get to play, at Algonquin College. It’s certainly my first time here as a coach here, and you know, some of our players may never be on this court again. There’s just been so many positives this weekend.”
Great work Ottawa South! This is the way to go!! We’ll be watching your progress.