With the OCAA playoffs right around the corner, the homestretch of the season is officially underway. Both Volleyball and Basketball were in action this past weekend and both programs hit setbacks in their push for the playoffs.
A banged up Women's Basketball team hit the road to Sarnia with a Friday evening matchup against the Lambton Lions. Redeemer was missing 3 starters due to a variety of reason and was forced to play the match with just 5 healthy players.
Despite a gutty effort by the Royals, the Lions took advantage of the shorthanded visitors, winning by 18 points. 12 Lions saw the court while the 5 Royals starters played 40 minutes. Redeemer went down 15 points in the first half, but finished strong, scoring 36 points in the 2nd half to Lambton's 39.
Lucy Brinkman had a solid game for Redeemer, netting 13 points and finishing with an incredible 18 rebounds. Julia Pavlik led all scorers with 19 points.
In the Men's match, Redeemer was dealt a tough loss by the Lions, hurting their chances of hosting a first-round crossover playoff match. Redeemer sits in 5th spot in the OCAA West, 4 points behind the Niagara Knights and Fanshawe Falcons. If the Royals don't catch either and finish 5th, Redeemer will hit the road for the first playoff match, crossing over with the 4th place team in the East Division.
The Royals seemed to be in control of the match, building a 19 point lead in the first half. However, Redeemer saw its lead slowly disappear as the match went on. The 3rd quarter saw Lambton shorten the gap to just 8 points, outscoring the Royals 30-22. The home team then caught fire in the 4th, shooting 63.2% from the field, including 50.0% from three. The Lions put up 36 points in the quarter as Redeemer's offense went dry. Redeemer shot just 28.6% from the field and did not make a single 3-pointer. Lambton outscored the Royals 36-22 en route to a 13-100 come-from-behind win.
Known for his defense,
Foster Brown had one of his best offensive games of his career. Brown finished with 29 points in 35 minutes and added 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Brown was 11-15 from the field and 2-3 from 3-point range.
Both Redeemer Basketball teams travel Tuesday to Sheridan College for a midweek matchup against the Bruins.
Redeemer's Volleyball programs hosted the Sheridan Bruins in Ancaster Friday night.
The Women's match featured two West Division teams jockeying for playoff position. Sheridan entered the match with a 2-point advantage over Redeemer in the standings. The game certainly highlighted two equally competitive teams, going toe-to-toe for two full hours.
After going up 2-1 in the match (25-22, 26-28, 25-23), the Royals were unable to close out the game in the forth, losing 25-12. Forcing a 5th set, the Bruins squeaked out the win, taking the final set 15-13.
Abby Sluys and Jasmyn Stoffers were both stellar for the Royals in the loss. Sluys finished with 15 Kills and 19 total points while Stoffers added 12 kills, 4 aces, and had 11 digs.
Without their leading scorer Linden Bontkes Friday night, the Royals were in tough against the visiting Sheridan Bruins. Shorthanded, Redeemer was dealt another blow early in the match as two other starters were injured and didn't return for precautionary reasons.
Missing three regulars, Redeemer rallied and went the distance against the Bruins. Both teams went back-and-forth winning 2 sets each before landing at the 5th set. In the 5th, the Bruins edged the Royals 18-16 to finish off the 5-set thriller.
Redeemer's Brayden Stoffers had a game-high 27 points including 21 Kills. Noah Bouius and Brady De Boer each had 11 points as well for Redeemer.
The Royals will have little time to get healthy as both Volleyball teams travel Thursday to face the Conestoga Condors. On the Men's side, the Condors sit 2 points behind Redeemer in the fight for 4th place.
