The Elliot Lake Atoms made their second trip to OFSAA Single A Senior girls basketball last week in Cornwall.  Last year the the Atoms lost a two point heartbreaker to Algonquin in the quarter-finals.  This year the ELSS squad were looking to improve upon last years’ performance and did so by winning the OFSAA Bronze Medal defeating the host school (Holy Trinity) 54-53.

It has been a tremendous season as the Atoms were able to win three Invitational Tournaments, the Airtime and Gator Classic in Sudbury and the Canada Brokerlink held in Elliot Lake. 

The ELSS squad also defended their league and NOSSA titles to qualify for the 2009 OFSAA Single A Championship. 

Despite the ten hour school bus ride to Cornwall the Atoms were prepared to play against some of the best teams in the province.  ELSS was seeded #5 based on the years’ performance and were looking forward to playing the #15 seed from Red Lake.  Following the defeat of Red Lake the Atoms faced the Kapuskasing Kolts and had a closer battle winning 39-33. 

In the quarterfinals the Elliot Lake Squad played a true nemesis from Sudbury, the Sacre Coeur Griffons, whom the Atoms had faced a staggering six times this season winning five out of the six games.  Felicia Mazerolle led the Atoms by scoring 23 of the first 25 points and finished the game by scoring 39 points out of the Atoms’ 52 points as the ladies defeated Sacre Coeur 52-40.

The semifinals were scheduled for the next morning and despite their best effort the Atoms were defeated 46-36 by the #1 seed, Rideau Secondary School.  The Atoms needed to regroup as they needed to prepare for the Holy Trinity team from Cornwall.  Despite some tense moments the Atoms were led to the finish by Chelsey Lees, Carly Dell, Shannon Snow, Lisa Ucci and Allison Armstrong.

Congratulations to the team as they returned to Elliot Lake late Sunday tired but victorious.  It was a special season as thirteen girls committed to the single goal of becoming a championship team through hard work and dedication.

The Senior Girls Team from ELSS; Lisa Ucci, Sheri Mclean, Jordan Linekar, Randal Stenger, Chelsey Lees, Felicia Mazerolle, Kristin Shipman, Carly Dell, Shannon Snow, Chelsea Hunter, Stephanie Gaudette, Jessica Majka, Allison Armstrong and Doniya Quenneville.