UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
TISS Girls Basketball Team Makes Historic Return to OFSAA After 20 Years

The Senior Girls Basketball Team from Thousand Islands Secondary School (TISS) made history by competing at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AA Basketball Championships, held November 21-23 in North Bay. Although they didn't secure a medal, the team played with skill, determination and heart, leaving a lasting impression and representing their school with pride. This is the first time in 20 years that a girls basketball team from TISS has qualified for this tournament.

"We started small with our team, and as we began winning tournaments against skilled schools, we realized we had a real shot at something bigger. We set our sights on making it to the EOSSAA finals and accomplished that goal by beating our competitor, Arnprior, in the championship game," says Grade 12 student Annika Squires.

The team of 11 players and coach Kim Durant, travelled to North Bay November 20-24, with a strong contingent of family and friends supporting them every step of the way. "Having such a big group of supporters was so important to us," said Victoria Ford, a Grade 11 student. "Their positivity and cheers kept us going and created an incredible environment for our games."

In their first game, the team faced a team from Belleville, a familiar opponent they had previously beaten in two tournaments. Although the game was close, the girls played hard and came out with a 50-44 win. Later that day, they defeated a school from Guelph 63-34. The two wins secured their spot in the quarterfinals, held on Nov. 22.

The quarterfinal matchup was against an Ottawa team. "It was a close game the whole way through," said Squires. "At halftime, we were up, but the third quarter saw us tied. It came down to the last 90 seconds, and while we lost by six points, we were proud of how we played." The Ottawa team went on to win the bronze medal.

Coach Durant, the only female head coach at the tournament, expressed immense pride in her team. "It was just me and my 11 girls, and I couldn't be prouder of what they accomplished. They've grown so much this season, and we're already looking ahead to next year with excitement and determination."

"We're like a family," said Squires. "Everyone had a role to play, whether it was leading on the bench, making plays on the court, or supporting each other. The memories we made this season are unforgettable."

The starting five players, including Ford, will return next school year. With the experience gained at OFSAA, the team is already planning on going even further. Fundraising efforts are underway to offset this year's costs and prepare for the next season, including plans to compete against top Toronto teams to secure a better seed at OFSAA.

The group also plans to give back to the community by running basketball camps for younger girls, fostering mentorship and inspiring the next generation of players.

"This season was the most successful and enjoyable of my coaching career," said Durant. "These girls played with heart, humility, and a love for the sport that was evident in every game. It's been an honour to coach them, and I'm excited to see what they'll achieve next."