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Saints women and Canton Bears share the hardwood

Posted 2/1/11

Canton, NY- Members of the St. Lawrence University Lady Saints basketball team hosted the girls of the Canton Bears modified team for a several team clinics during their holiday break. The Saints, …

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Saints women and Canton Bears share the hardwood

Posted

Canton, NY- Members of the St. Lawrence University Lady Saints basketball team hosted the girls of the Canton Bears modified team for a several team clinics during their holiday break.

The Saints, who had returned to campus early to continue with their own season, invited the 7th and 8th grade girls to Burkman Gymnasium for a series of evening skills clinics. With every member of the Saints squad on hand, the modified players separated into small groups and worked alongside their SLU mentors.

The Canton players worked through a number of drills; covering a wide variety of essential skills. Although the primary points of emphasis during the clinics were the fundamental skills of basketball, the Lady Saints also taught the young Bears some valuable lessons about stretching, flexibility and core strength during the sessions.

Moments after the first clinic, 7th grader Bailey Luther, point guard for one of the Lady Bear's teams, said she liked "everything" about it!

Another highlight for both squads came days after the final clinic; when members from both teams attended recent games in support of their counterparts. Canton player, Natalie DiSalvo was especially excited to see her Saints' mentors in attendance: "The SLU players and coaches showed us the importance of hard work and how to work well as a team."

"I want our players is to realize what role models they can be for girls in our community, and also for them to find a way to give back to the game of basketball," said Saints Head Coach Dan Roiger. "This volunteer work allowed us to do both. I thought both teams created friendships and it has been great to have the Bears' support at our games. I hope that our players inspire these young girls to be good citizens, better basketball players, and dream of college and work towards attaining their goals in the future. It was a great experience for our players, and I also think for the Bears!"

Canton 7th grade Coach and SLU alum, Katie Moquin was extremely happy that her players were able work with the SLU team. "When you see the way the girls from both teams interacted with one another, it was clear that they shared a great deal of passion for the game of basketball. It is no wonder Coach (Dan) Roiger has his girls playing at such a high level right now."

Roiger's Saints are off to one of their best starts in years. With a record of 13-4, the Saints' four losses have come by a combined 9 points.

Canton head Coach Jim DiSalvo, was very pleased with the outcome of the clinics, "The players really worked hard and their enthusiasm for the game was evident on both teams. Coach Roiger really made this season extra special for the girls."