WATERLOO REGION (November 12, 2024) – Heading into the District 8 final, the senior girls’ basketball team from Woodland Christian High School cruised through District 8 play without so much as a blemish on their record. In fact, the last time Woodland lost a senior basketball game was exactly two years ago to the day, when they dropped a 32-29 semi-final game to St. Mary’s. 

On Monday night, Woodland looked to finish off their second straight perfect season but would need to get past St. Benedict’s to do so. 

The game opened offensively with Woodland taking a 15-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter with guard Kaylee Chapman leading scoring with eight points of four made field goals. With another six points from Chapman in the second frame, and two huge three-pointers from Nina Erak, the Cavaliers stretched the lead to 16 at half. 

The Woodland defence locked down after the break, holding the Saints to only 15 points in the second half, while Chapman continued to march her Cavaliers to victory, scoring another 10. 

Woodland finished their second straight undefeated District 8 campaign topping St. Benedict 56-34. Chapman led all scorers with 24-points, while teammate Emma Tonin scored 13. Michelle Maeresera had nine for the Saints.

Woodland will advance to the single-A CWOSSA championship starting November 15th in Walkerton, and will host the single-A OFSAA championship November 21-23, 2024. St. Benedict will play in the triple-A CWOSSA championship later this week where they have been placed in a pool with Cameron Heights and Assumption College. St. David’s will compete in the double-A event in Cambridge. 

In the junior District 8 championship, Resurrection was in tough against a talented squad from Père-René-de-Galinée, who narrowly lost by three points to the Phoenix in their only other matchup this season. 

The entire first half, Resurrection held a slight lead, four points at the quarter and only two at the half, with nine points coming from Resurrection’s Mya Gallagher and five points each from PRDG’s Patricia Nkuna and Lyne Noubouwo. 

A balanced scoring attack from les Chevalières early in the second half gave them the advantage for most of the third quarter, but back-to-back field goals from Resurrection’s Niveah Whilby narrowed PRDG’s lead to three points. 

Resurrection’s defensive mentality changed in the fourth, creating offensive opportunities for Elyse Mesquita who scored seven of Resurrection’s 13 fourth quarter points to seal the comeback, and complete the undefeated championship season. 

Gallagher and Mesquita led the Phoenix with 11-points each while Nkuna led with 13 for Père-René-de-Galinée. 

The Phoenix will compete for the triple-A CWOSSA championship later this week in Brantford, while Père-René-de-Galinée and Woodland will both advance to the single-A event in Walkerton. St. David’s junior squad will compete for the double-A championship starting on Friday.