BASKETBALL. The women’s wheelchair basketball team defeated Brazil 61-44 on Saturday to open the Parapan American Games in Santiago. Each Canadian player had the number 9 written in black marker on one shoulder for the occasion. They will play this tournament in tribute to their former teammate Maude Jacques, who died a little over a month ago.
Maude Jacques, who died at the age of 31 following a bacterial infection, wore the colors of the maple leaf from 2011 to 2020. Paralympian at the London Games, she also took part in the last Parapan American Games in 2019 , the third of his career, when Canada qualified for Tokyo.
The Sherbrookoise announced her retirement a year later after the postponement of the Paralympic Games. She was preparing her return to the lineup in anticipation of the Santiago Games and was aiming for participation in Paris next summer.
Maude Jacques’ number 9 jersey has its place in the Canadian locker room in Santiago.
“No one wears it because she is here with us,” said captain Cindy Ouellet in an interview with the Sportcom agency. This victory is for Maude and we are going to get the next ones for her too.”
The players instead wear the number 9 on a black sweater when going onto the field and on the sidelines.
A first convincing victory like that of Saturday sets the tone for the Canadians. Reigning Parapan American champions, they will try to win gold again in Chile and, at the same time, qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris.
The Brazilians held on during the game, but their tight defense in the first quarter crumbled as the match progressed. Those who placed tenth at the most recent World Championship were unable to maintain the pace while the Canadian counterattack, mainly orchestrated by Ouellet and Kady Dandeneau, proved very effective.
“It was a big game and a great team victory. We changed a few things, we knew they were going to be very physical. We wanted to counter their pressure because they were really on our chairs. It took us a little time to adapt to all that,” said Cindy Ouellet, who recorded ten points, four assists and five rebounds.
“We focused on our defense,” shared head coach Paul Bowes. We have a good attack, we know it! The Brazilians put a lot of pressure and eventually, they would slow down and get tired. We took advantage of this situation.”
The adjustment even allowed the Canadians to build a 21-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter.
Kady Dandeneau was Canada’s top scorer with a total of 25 points, in addition to her five assists and 17 rebounds. Quebecers Élodie Tessier (six points, an assist and four rebounds), Sofia Fassi-Fehri (an assist) and Rosalie Lalonde also represent Canada in the Chilean capital.
A new coach
Saturday’s clash was also the women’s team’s first under Paul Bowes, who was named head coach in early October. The Ontarian succeeds Marni Abbott-Peter who held the position since April.
Bowes has over 30 years of coaching experience. He was notably an assistant when the Canadians won gold at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games, then head coach when they were crowned world champions in 2006. More recently, he found himself behind the bench of the German team which placed eighth in the men’s world championship.
The death of Maude Jacques occurred just a few days after her arrival in office.
“It’s been a challenge, but basketball is way down on the priority list in this situation. We all wanted to support each other and prepare for this competition in his memory. Maude was really looking forward to coming and playing here. We made several calls to Zoom, both for the strategies and for the team spirit and the players were superb. They all carry it in their hearts,” said Paul Bowes.
It was the second time this year that the Canadians prepared for a major competition following a coaching change. Marni Abbott-Peter having replaced Marc-Antoine Ducharme just a few weeks before the start of the world championship.
“What we are experiencing is quite unique. Paul is a good coach and you just have to get to know each other. We didn’t have any camp with him before the Games,” recalled Cindy Ouellet.
“We are a team of veterans and on the field, it is the girls who play. The coach will help us, but at the end of the day, it’s the 12 girls who play and we were ready, with confidence.”
The Canadians will return to action on Sunday, against the representatives of El Salvador.
2023-11-18 21:35:37
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