Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Hometown fans will have a chance to catch a glimpse of a talented Napanee U14 Novice Express girls team July 27-29 when they play host to the Novice Girls Qualifier at the Napanee Fairgrounds.
Playing the vast majority of their games on the road, the upcoming tournament will be a chance for the Express, who are in the midsts of an outstanding season, to showcase their talents to the home crowd. They’ve been off to a hot start this season, having won 17 straight games against fellow girls teams before suffering their first loss at the nationals qualifier in Windsor earlier this month. The Express finished ninth out of 18 teams in that tournament, just missing out of the playoff round. During their 17 game unbeaten streak, they also captured first place at the UTM Big Show tournament in Stratford back in June.
“To play at home for them is big because they don’t get the crowds like they normally would,” said Express head coach Shawn Hutcheson. “The girls like to step up and play for their fans at home.”
Along with the host Napanee team the field will consist of the Whitby Eagles, Etobicoke Mayhem, Cobourg Junior Angels, Toronto Lady Mets, Oshawa Shamrocks, Peterborough Thunder, Port Perry Angels, Clarington Ravens, Aurora Diggers, Richmond Hill Rebels and Oshawa Lady B’s.
“We know we can compete with the best teams in the province,” said Hutcheson, noting the Express have already faced a good portion of those teams in tournaments and league play this year. “It’s just about pulling it all together that day.”
The top four teams at the Napanee qualifier will advance to the ‘A’ division of the Grand Championship Aug. 10-12 in Barrie. The fifth through eighth team will play in the ‘B’ division while the remaining teams will play in the ‘C’ group.
“We’d be disappointed if we didn’t qualify on the ‘A’ side,” said Hutcheson. “I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t be up there.”
Representing the Express will be Payton Barkley, Samantha Smith, Jaidyn Manion, Elayna Jackson, Meena Peterson, Lila Pringle, Elle Chapman, Nikki Weese, Payton Hutcheson, Dakota Weese, Marlee Maracle, Merissa Reynolds and Kristen Sutton. Joining Hutcheson on the coaching staff is Cory Chapman, Doug Weese and Jennifer Weese.
Napanee’s first game of the tournament will be July 27 at 6:30 p.m. against Cobourg. A win would mean their next game would be Saturday at 1 p.m. while a loss would make it at 11 a.m.
The tournament finals will take place on Sunday at 3 p.m.