Niverville Middle School’s first official school year, though shortened, has featured some particularly memorable highlights. One of those came when the Grade Eight girls basketball team took home the Zone 13 championship banner on March 10—the first of what the school hopes will be many more to come.
The girls completed their season right before the provincial government shut down schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team of nine players and one manager was coached by a pair of basketball-loving sisters, Carling Comte and Sarah Barton. Both women are also teachers at the middle school, and they grew up playing basketball. Their mother even coached varsity basketball for several years.
The team’s dynamic performance on and off the court led them to post an undefeated regular season. Their only losses came in two tournaments played outside the division, and in both cases the girls placed second.
Most junior high sports teams start in Grade Seven, although that was not the case for this team.
“Almost half the team had never played basketball on a team prior to this season,” says Comte. “They all improved so much and worked very hard. With their innate athletic ability plus determination, they became a very successful team.”
What brought about their incredible success?
“A focus on fundamentals,” Comte adds. “They were a very coachable, smart team, and everyone came together. [The girls have] so much talent and a willingness to learn and play hard.”
With four more years of high school basketball on the way for these players, there is every hope this isn’t their last championship.
