Jeff Claude François received the title of coach of the year. (Photo Courtesy – Charles-Lemoyne College)
Jeff Claude François easily stayed the course during the perfect season for the Collège Charles-Lemoyne (CCL) women’s juvenile basketball team, which hung three championship banners during the year. This series of successes earned him the title of Youth Coach of the Year in the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ).
The Dynamiques, who play in the 1st division, won the annual Astéries tournament in January, finished atop the general standings in the regular season and won the Provincial Championship at Saint-Laurent high school in Montreal on March 26 .
Above all, the head coach who has led the team for five years gives credit to his players and the coaching staff. He does not hide the fact that the CCL’s sports-studies program helps a lot with chemistry.
“My players are together every day for at least 3 hours,” he explains. It is a good extracurricular framework both inside and outside the field. All together, we are a big family.”
Mr. François credits their composure, discipline and execution as factors that helped keep them focused during the provincial tournament playoff games. The Dynamics trailed in the semi-finals and the final. They tied the game in the final seconds of the final match against Gérard-Fillion high school before winning in overtime.
“We came back into the game because they were able to keep their cool in those situations,” he said.
Honors
Although this is an individual award, Jeff Claude François also credits his coaching staff.
“It’s touching,” he admits. It is gratifying to win this honor.”
In addition, player Patricia Augustin, from Longueuil, was named player of the year par excellence and Mélissa Desrosiers, from La Prairie, earned a spot on the network’s 2nd all-star team.
Trophies for the Militia
Other local teams were also rewarded at the end of the season. La Magdeleine Militia in La Prairie won gold in women’s youth basketball at the 3rd Division Basketball Regional Championship at Saint-Paul College in Varennes on March 25 and 26.
The basketball players of the Milice de la Magdeleine won gold. (Photo: RSEQ Montérégie)
Then, at the Regional Futsal Championship at Monseigneur AM.-Parent High School, in Saint-Hubert, the Militia walked away with bronze in the men’s juvenile.
The Magdeleine futsal team won bronze. (Photo: RSEQ Montérégie)
