Vikettes go winless at Marshland tourney

AMHERST - Upping the level of intensity is what the coach is calling for after the host Amherst Regional High School Vikettes went 0-3 at the Marshland Invitational Tournament over the weekend.
"We held our own in the second half of our games and showed we had some fight," said Vikettes coach Gillian Ellis.
"It's just a matter of getting out of the gate a little quicker."
In their first game, it was Tina Leggett leading the way with 10 points for the Vikettes in a 46-39 loss to the North Nova Education Centre Gryphons, the team that won the tournament, defeating the Oxford Golden Bears in the championship game.
"Tina played really well. She's a go-getter and doesn't quit," said Ellis. "She has that no-quit attitude."
Leah Patterson had eight points in the game.
"Leah played outstanding for us as well," said Ellis.
Also scoring for the Vikettes were Natasha Gouchie and Jenna Embree with five points each, Kelly Cormier with four points, Kirsty MacDonald with three, Taylor MacDonald with two and Katelyn Peters and Robyn Greeno with one point each.
In their 52-46 loss to the Charlottetown Raiders, it was Patterson leading the way with 11 points, followed by Taylor Macdonald with 10.
"Taylor MacDonald played some really good basketball for us," said Ellis. "We really need her strong presence on the court."
Also scoring for the Vikettes were Cormier with eight, Peters with five, Embree with four, Leggett, Greeno and Kirsty MacDonald with three each and Kathryn Hillier with two points.
In their 61-36 loss to the Tantramar Titans, Embree led the way with eight points, while Peters and Taylor MacDonald had six each, Patterson had four, Greeno, Kirsty MacDonald and Hillier had three each, Cormier had two and Gouchie had one point.
Ellis said the Vikettes have many positives to build upon.
"The girls didn't give up, they kept fighting through," said Ellis. "We just have to find that intensity through the entire game."
She was also impressed with the younger players.
"The kids off the bench played some good minutes for us, especially when we ran into foul trouble, they came in and played really well," added Ellis. "We'll hit the gym, keep on practicing, keep running drills and build from what we've learned."
The Vikettes travel to a tournament next weekend in Antigonish.

dmathieson@amherstdaily.com