[1]Lancer Brayden Gohn tries to push through Algonquin’s Garnet Blais (13) and Ryan Bradley (7). Photo by Taylor Renkema.
By Taylor Renkema
It was more than just another game for many of Loyalist’s basketball veterans.
For five Lady Lancers and three Loyalist men, it was the last time they would play a regular season game in the lancerdome.
Haley Sisler, Martine Gauvin, Sierra Cauley, Samantha Goff and Jenni Thompson are all set to graduate this year.
Thompson was the top scorer for the Lady Lancers with 12 points, but it wasn’t enough as Loyalist fell 77-48 to the Algonquin Thunder.
From the men’s team, veterans Matt Miller, Damone Donaldson, and Patrick Kalala are finishing their college programs as well.
Kalala’s 21 points couldn’t compare to the strong Algonquin offense, and the Lancers dropped their game, 93-77.
Kalala said he’s going to miss everyone from fans to coaches. He said one game from the 2012-2013 season will always stand out in his mind.
“Beating George Brown by 20 [points] in their gym, after they called our win at our gym a fluke,” he said. “That’s a good memory.”
Donaldson said he would never forget when Loyalist beat the national number-one-ranked Algonquin Thunder during the 2011-2012 season, and the support he received at Loyalist.
“The support of all the athletic staff,” she said. “Whenever I was feeling down they were always around to help me out.”
In women’s action, Sisler was unable to play Friday night due to a broken wrist suffered while snowboarding- sidelining her for at least a month.
“It really sucks,” she said. “Especially since it’s my last season. But I just try to help any way I can.”
Thompson said her favourite memory was going to provincials.
“You really get to know the players, the ones you play with, and against,” she said.
The Lady Lancers knew it would be a tough contest heading into the game- Algonquin is undefeated this season, with 16 wins. Loyalist sits in fourth place in the East Division standings with a 10-6 record.
The Algonquin men meanwhile sit three spots above Loyalist in the standings, with 28 points compared to Loyalist’s 22. Their 14-3 record shows the Thunder will be a top contender in the playoffs.
Both Loyalist teams have two regular-season games left before playoffs start. They visit St. Lawrence on Wednesday, Feb. 13, and travel to Cambrian on Feb. 15.
