When their age-old rivalry renewed on Tuesday the Handsworth and Argyle senior girls basketball teams each came stocked with university-bound stars, but it was a little known Grade 11 player who stole the show.
Lorissa Corrie hit nine out of 10 shots on her way to 24 points as Handsworth overcame a small halftime deficit to pull away for a 66-54 win over the Pipers. Corrie isn't even a starter on most nights but the Royals were missing two guards from their lineup, thrusting her into the lineup. She made the most of her opportunity.
"She was the hot hand — there was no doubt about it," said Handsworth head coach Scott Palmer with a laugh. "It was just crazy. Jump shots, pull-up jump shots, lay-ups - she was just doing it all for us. It came out of nowhere, really."
Both Handsworth and Argyle have spent the season hanging around the fringes of the provincial top-10 rankings. Handsworth was seventh and Argyle 10th in the latest list released Wednesday.
Corrie's flame-throwing act on Tuesday notwithstanding, the two teams are both driven by Grade 12 leaders bound for university programs. Argyle's Sophie Swant scored 21 points with 11 rebounds and five blocks in a losing effort on Tuesday and is averaging ridiculous numbers for the season, clocking in at 23.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 blocks and 4.4 steals per game, according to Pipers head coach Anthony Fortunaso.
The former soccer star who only dedicated herself to hoops as a Grade 11 student has come on so quickly in the sport that she will suit up for the Simon Fraser Clan next season. Swant's relentlessness is what makes her a nightmare to play against, said Palmer.
"She's a really focused, determined young lady," he said. "Always hard to play against. She plays hard every possession."
Handsworth, meanwhile, is led by Alanna Martin, a Grade 12 guard headed to CIS school Wilfred Laurier next season.
"She's been our leader both offensively and defensively," said Palmer. "We rely a lot on her for our scoring and leadership on the court."
Both Argyle and Handsworth are hoping to be there at the end of the season when the provincial banner is on the line. There's been movement up and down the top 10 rankings all season, said Palmer, adding that it could be a wide open year.
"I feel pretty comfortable — we've got a shot at it," he said.
"We've really struggled for playing consistently for 40 minutes and then closing teams out. If we can keep improving on our 40 minutes a game and learn to close people out, we'll be right in the hunt."
The Royals will have one more tough North Shore test before the playoffs begin when they host Seycove Feb. 2. The Seyhawks are the only other undefeated team in the North Shore premier league with a 4-0 record and are currently ninth in the provincial AA rankings.
Handsworth's win over Argyle clinched home court advantage for the North Shore AAA final. The Royals and Pipers will battle for the banner Thursday, Feb. 12 starting at 7:30 p.m. at Handsworth.
North Shore premier league action continues this week with Seycove hosting Carson Graham and Windsor hosting Argyle on Monday. On Tuesday Bodwell will host Seycove and on Thursday Mulgrave will host Windsor. All games are 7:30 p.m. tip-offs.
