Pontiac High School’s senior girls and junior boys basketball teams hosted their first games of the season on Thursday night in Shawville in front of their home fans.

The junior boys, who were kicking off their season against Division 4 opponents École Secondaire de l’Île from Gatineau, trailed 12-10 after the first quarter, but some pesky defence and timely scoring brought the team back to take a 22-20 halftime lead.

In the second half the Panthers pulled away for good, scoring 36 points in the second half to complete the victory by a convincing margin, winning 58-38.

Robert Findlay led the Panthers with 16 points, while Braiden Lance contributed nine. The game’s top scorer was École Secondaire de l’Île’s Ithiel Agbaze, who posted 21 points.

Head coach Jodi Thompson said the team exceeded her expectations. “They worked as a team and played tough defense,” she said.

The senior girls’ team, who were opening their season against Division 4 rivals Collège Saint-Joseph de Hull, fell to the visitors by a score of 46-18.

Top scorers for the Panthers were Josephine Hatton and Emma Hobbs, each with six points. The game’s top scorer was Saint-Joseph’s Lilyrose Labelle, who contributed 17 points.

Head coach Matt Greer said the loss came to what he believes is going to be one of the best teams in the division, and acknowledged that his team is lacking experience compared to other teams.

“The majority of them, this is their first year playing,” he said, adding there is some work to be done to catch his players up to the skill level of other teams.

But, he said, most of his players are involved in other sports, so he believes the team can hang its hat on its athleticism and competitive drive.

“I think we’re going to be a team that competes defensively, we’re going to be a little gritty, a little Pontiac grit,” he said. “We’ll take care of the ball and play with that type of intensity.”
Greer said he is excited for his young core of players, including two young guards in Charleigh Beardsley and Emma Hobbs.

The senior girls will play their next home game on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. against Le Carrefour.

The junior boys’ next home game is Friday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m., followed by the senior boys’ home opener at 6 p.m..

Emma Hobbs pushes the ball up the floor against Hull’s Collège Saint-Joseph. Hobbs scored six points in the game. Photo: K.C. Jordan

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