The Elphi Cougars are set for a North Shore title run.
The Cougars won their last two league games this week to finish with a 6-1 record. Elphi will finish in second place behind Sutherland and will play either Chat or Bodwell on Monday in the quarterfinals. A site for the game was to be determined today (Jan. 27). Elphi beat Collingwood 57-50 on Monday night in a lacklustre performance, according to head coach Lynn Moran."We had lots of trouble on the boards," Moran said. "Our shooting was also very poor. We were fortunate. Collingwood played us really hard. They were aggressive, hustled and caused us to miss a lot of shots."
Kyla Richey led the Cougars in scoring with 24, while Hanna Anderson chipped in with 21.
"Hanna was outstanding. Every shot she took seemed to go in," Moran said.
On Tuesday Elphi rebounded with a much better effort against Chat with a solid 73-41 win.
Chat hung in for the better part of the first half as Elphi held a 16-11 lead after the first quarter.
Chat scored the opening hoop in the second quarter to bring the game to within three. Moran called a quick timeout to re-group, and it worked, as Elphi went on a 14-0 run to go up 30-13 and essentially put the game away.
"We couldn't break through their press, and it cost us," said Chat coach Ellen Thomas. "Our shooting was also quite poor. If you don't shoot well, you're going to lose."
Tess Bradshaw scored nine for Chat, while Alisha Scoular and Sammi Dixon each scored eight.
Elphi had a solid effort from Kyla with 27 and Ellissa Grohne poured in 22 and was a force under the glass.
"Before the game, I told everyone we need to start focusing on playing a team game," Moran added. "I don't care where the scoring comes from; we need to start thinking and playing more as a team. We played a great team game against Chat. If we continue to play like this, I like our chances next week in the playoffs."
As a tune-up, Elphi is in Richmond this weekend for the 2006 Wildcat Classic at McMath Secondary School.
Chat finished league play Thursday night (past dead-line) against St. Thomas Aquinas. A Chat win places them seventh where they'll play Elphi in the playoffs. A Chat loss means an eighth place finish; they'll play number one ranked Sutherland in the first round.
