STVM girls basketball's Ohio vs. Ontario Classic gave teams 'a different perspective'

AKRON — The LeBron James Arena has hosted plenty of basketball showcases during its time.

St. Vincent-St Mary assistant athletic director Carley Whitney has seen plenty of great basketball. It was impossible to miss, however, that these events were male-dominated.

"I'm very grateful in the fact that our boys program is very, very good to us," said Whitney, who also is STVM's head girls basketball coach. "We travel together a lot. We play in a lot of boy-girl events or we host them here — and we're always the only [girls] game."

This past weekend, Whitney got her wish to have girls basketball take center court at Coach Dru Joyce Court.

With help from Ohio Basketball, STVM hosted the inaugural Ohio vs. Ontario Classic this past Saturday and Sunday, bringing in six of the top Canadian high and prep schools to Akron.

"I think it's really great to have an all-girls event," she said. "We're trying to make events in this area for girls. A lot of these events are in Cleveland or Columbus and we're trying to bring this to Northeast Ohio.

"I think this is event is going to build. I think it's a really cool idea."

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According to Whitney, the Classic has been a couple years in the making, though the pandemic got in the way.

"We wanted to do this two years ago," she said. "I have some connections with Ohio Basketball. We made some Canadian connections. Unfortunately with COVID, we had to cancel. Last year we wanted to do it as well, but they couldn't cross the border because of COVID, so we had to cancel again.

"It's really evolved. I don't want to say I'm shocked, but I'm just really impressed with how many Ohio teams wanted to play a Canadian opponent. It's a different style of basketball and a different type of opponent. I'm always interested in doing events for girls."

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Whitney said Ontario players have "more basketball options than we do," given the separate high school and prep school levels in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.

"We have some really good matchups," she said ahead of her team's game with Scarborough Prep. "It's kind of the thrill of the unknown right now. We're going to play team basketball. We're going to use all of our guns."

The Canadians showed their quality Saturday, going 5-1 on day one of the Classic.

Ohio's lone win came in the showcase opener, as Walsh Jesuit defeated Excel Hoops, a prep team based in Brampton, Ontario 43-31.

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As for the Irish, STVM nearly rallied to beat Scarborough Prep, but fell just short in a defensive struggle 31-27.

Scarborough coach Paul Weekes he and his team enjoyed the game and showcase.

"We just tried to play everybody and have fun and have a good experience," Weekes said. "I really enjoyed the competition here. It gives us a chance to see a different perspective in basketball."

Scarborough won despite not having top player Skylar Forbes, who has committed to play at Marquette University.

STVM was down by as many as 11 early in the fourth quarter before junior Erica King sparked a rally. King scored a game-high 15 points, including a putback layup with 37 seconds left to cut the lead to 29-27.

However, a putback layup by Scarborough's Santi Davy with 10 seconds left clinched the win. Davy led Scarborough with 14 points.

"We really pride ourselves on defense, Weekes said. "We're not a fancy team. We're a low-scoring team."

"Obviously, scores were super low. We did not shoot very well," Whitney said. "I think they beat us to some possessions. I think if we clean up some possessions, the final score is different. I'm proud of them for fighting back in the fourth quarter."

STVM had a better shooting day Sunday as it routed Excel Hoops 60-34. Senior Dyllan Metcalf led the Irish with 14 points, while King had 11 and Jazmin Torres had 10.

"I thought it was a good representation of both countries. It was good to see how people do different things," Whitney said. "I wish the Ohio basketball fan would support girls basketball a little bit more, but I understand the importance of local matchups."

STVM's Canadian guests lauded the event.

Marlo Davis, head coach of Crestwood Prep based in North York, Ontario, said it was good to see the support of girls basketball in Ohio.

"I feel like Ohio is a hot bed (of college basketball) ... whether it be D-I, D-II, Kentucky, Indiana, all that kind of stuff," he said. "The location was great. Akron obviously has LeBron James and a rich history of basketball, so I thought it would be good for the kids to see this space to see how much the game is cherished here.

"Basketball is growing in Canada and becoming a lot more popular," he added. "The support girls basketball gets in American as compared to Canada is great to see."

King's Christian Collegiate from Oakville, Ontario played three games in the showcase. Coach Zelimir Stevanovic said the entire weekend was well-organized and professional.

"Obviously, it's a legendary arena," he said. "It's a privilege to be her and coach here and for the girls to play here."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: STVM hosts international basketball with Ohio vs Ontario Classic