Handsworth Royals Too Much for John Oliver Jokers in First-Round Matchup

Handsworth Royals Sr. Girls vs John Oliver Jokers

@ Handsworth Secondary School, Dec. 12

(photo credit: Blair Shier)

This is no joke!

The gym was packed and the scene was certainly set for the opening tip off at what is known as the Spirit Game of the No Regrets tournament. 

With not a seat available in the gym and ‘Crazy P’ firing up the crowd the tournament was officially underway. The gym was so loud you could feel it in your fillings. 

The Royals were hoping to utilize this heavily favoured home court advantage in their favour and come with a strong start. The Jokers looked on simply gobsmacked and flabbergasted at their enthusiasm and energy. 

The energy in the gym was simply amazing after every Royals bucket and brought back flashbacks of the Royals title runs in years past. The Royals strategically used a full-court press on the Jokers who struggled to break through the quickness and height of the defending Royals. The Royals Avery Schmidt seemed to be front and centre on both sides of the ball and was leading by example . This energy and enthusiasm was certainly appreciated by the hundreds of friends, family and classmates that cheered their home team on. 

At the end of the first quarter the home Royals held a commanding 18-8 lead.

Due to the ‘Mouse in the House’ situation (referring to the significant Royals height advantage), the Jokers were forced to the perimeter and settled for long range buckets rather than driving the paint. 

Knowing that this is just Game 1 of a long 3 days of basketball ahead for each team, it was clear that both coaches were rolling the benches to get all players some shared minutes. 

The Royal’s shooting guard Gabby Summer was feeling it in the second half and had a shot so pure it could be bottled up and sold as spring water. These back-to-back jumpers seemed to really deflate the visiting Joker’s energy. Is this Caitlin Clarke of the Indiana Fever or this the Royals Maddy Summer?! Gabbys sister Maddy sliced through the defense like a hot knife through butter which certainly provided a deadly 1-2 punch for the sisters. 

Despite the Royals putting up points and having a strong game it was clear that their coach wanted more possessions driven to the paint rather than passing along the perimeter. 

The Jokers were hoping with the three Domingo sisters on the court it would be a bit of a domino effect if you will, however the Royals seemed to always have an answer. Even though the score was lopsided you have to applaud the Jokers for not once dropping their chins and playing every ball to the whistle. 

The final score was 64-22. 

It will be interesting to see if the Royals will be able to continue this type of energy and enthusiasm into the next few games or if they will be too fatigued. 

Best of luck to both teams moving forward in the annual No Regrets tournament. 

Player of the game:
Handsworth Royals: Justine Childs: 15 points