Canadian women’s wheelchair basketballers score statement win, honour fallen teammate in Parapan Am opener

Assertion made. 

The Canadian ladies’s wheelchair basketball started its defence of Parapan Am Video games gold with an emphatic 61-44 victory over Brazil on Saturday afternoon in Santiago, Chile.

Led by Kady Dandeneau’s recreation excessive 25 factors, the Canadians opened up an early lead and by no means appeared again.

After back-to-back quarters scoring 14 factors, the Canadians took a seven level lead into halftime. Each time Canada tried to tug away within the first half of the sport Brazil seemingly had a solution.

However that modified within the second half. The expertise and talent overpowered Brazil within the last two frames. 

The Canadians went on an 8-3 run to start the ultimate body and began pulling away from Brazil with the rating 51-36. 

It compelled the Brazilians to name a timeout and to attempt to regroup from the remaining 7:25 of the sport. 

Nevertheless, Canada proved to be an excessive amount of and would cruise to a 16-point victory. 

“We received the job executed.” Dandeneau stated. “It was a bit of tough at instances however we’re off to a very robust begin. Brazil has improved a lot.”

4 years in the past on the Lima 2019 Video games the Canadians shocked the People to win gold. 

However that is about a lot greater than defending a title or taking pictures a basketball right into a web.

The Canadians are taking part in for his or her teammate who isn’t right here.

A month in the past, longtime nationwide staff member Maude Jacques died all of the sudden at the start of October. 

The 31-year-old’s dying despatched a shockwave throughout all through this system and the nation’s sporting neighborhood.

Each participant on the staff has a shirt with the #9 on the again. They’ll put on the shirts on the best way to their video games all through the competitors in Santiago. 

Most of the gamers additionally wrote “#9” on their arms. 

“We actually wished to verify it’s recognized that we’re at all times interested by her. We miss her loads,” Dandeneau stated. 

“She at all times had a very nice power. She simply introduced a component to our staff, it was simply so distinctive and so Maude. I actually miss her however she’s right here with us.”

Arrin Younger, who had been on the courtroom with Jacques for years, is feeling her presence already in Santiago. 

“I’ve been teammates with Maude for a very, actually very long time. She was simply an unimaginable human. I actually miss her and these wins are going to be for her,” Younger stated. 

“She was at all times energetic and loud and I believe that’s what we’re making an attempt to do on the bench. And I believe that actually helped on this recreation at this time when issues weren’t going our manner. We’re making an attempt to carry Maude in our video games.”

Longtime teammate and buddy Cindy Ouellet, who’s competing at her fifth Parapan Am Video games, fought again tears as she talked about Jacques. 

“We wish to play for Maude. These Video games are for Maude. And we wish to get that gold medal and to the Paralympics for Maude,” Ouellet stated.

“She was superior throughout. Among the best gamers. We’re actually going to overlook her,” Ouellet stated.

She completed the sport with 10 factors for Canada. 

Jacques ‘with us the entire manner’

The Canadian Paralympic Committee launched an announcement within the wake of Jacques’ dying, saying “she shall be significantly missed by all in Canadian Paralympic sport.”

No reason behind dying was given. 

“Wheelchair Basketball Canada is deeply saddened to be taught of the sudden passing of Senior Girls’s Nationwide Group member Maude Jacques. Maude was a beloved member of the wheelchair basketball neighborhood. Our hearts exit to her household and associates throughout this time.”

Jacques was born and raised in Sherbrooke, Que. and represented Canada on the 2012 Paralympics in London. She was a key a part of Canadians groups that gained a world title in 2014 and was additionally a three-time Parapan Am Video games medallist, together with being a part of the 2019 gold medal profitable staff. 

She had retired in 2020 on the age of 28, saying “I depart the staff with my head held excessive and I’m pleased with every part that I’ve completed.”

However Jacques was poised for a comeback. The truth is, she was speculated to be with the staff in Santiago. Jacques had been coaching with the nationwide staff since April and was on observe to compete at these Parapan Am Video games. 

“She’s with us at each apply and we’ve got shirts we’re going to put on on the best way to each recreation. She’s going to be with us the entire manner,” Ouellet stated. 

The Canadians return to the courtroom Sunday to tackle El Salvador.