The Collingwood Grade 7 Girls Gold Basketball team was thrilled when the annual CAIS U-13 Basketball tournament finally invited girls to join the national event. The tournament had been a big hit for the boys’ teams at Collingwood, but until 2024, the girls did not have any experience playing away from home. That changed this year as both the girls’ and boys’ team traveled to Ottawa to play against teams from Ontario, Quebec, BC, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and even Bermuda. 

In their first year playing in the competitive tournament, the girls didn’t lose a single game. They went undefeated through multiple days of play, which included a grueling schedule of early mornings (especially with the timezone change!), sickness, and the mental fatigue that comes when you’re away from home.

In the final game against Southridge School, the energy and spirit inside the gymnasium felt like the big leagues. With scores of fans cheering, the packed stands did not intimidate our Grade 7 girls; just like their previous games, they played with their whole heart and soul and walked away as champions. In her last year playing Junior School basketball, Brooklyn C. won the tournament MVP, which Coach Erin Button heralds as recognition for her leadership this year.

“Brooklyn really stepped up as captain of the team and helped make opportunities for her teammates to score, plus she made some really great three-pointers. Her game really stood out beyond the caliber of U-13 basketball,” Coach Button says. 

Not even two weeks after returning home from Ottawa, the Grade 7 Girls Gold team played another tournament: the annual Cav Classic, hosted at Wentworth. Once again, the girls dominated the competition and were crowned tournament champions, winning the final game against Crofton House. 

They had one more tournament left to go before finishing their season this week, the ISEA (Independent Schools Elementary Association) Championships. At the ISEAs, the Cavs played three more games – a win against Stratford Hall, another win against York House, and the final match, a win against WPGA 38-15! It was a memorable end to a fantastic season for the girls and their coaches Ms. Button and Ms. Thicke.

With all but one student on the team moving up to high school next year, it will be exciting to watch how this team navigates the transition to Senior School athletics. Meanwhile, the younger crop of basketball players can look forward to competing in some exciting tournaments next year.