James Gowland photo Sara Maybee drives the lane in the second half of an intense matchup against St. Lawrence College on Jan. 26.

The Algonquin Thunder women's basketball team pushed for first place last Friday, using rookie depth and wise coaching to sneak past the St. Lawrence Vikings in the second half of a defensive-minded game.

Coach Brian White was determined to maintain communication between players on defense to keep opponents from driving down the middle. This limited passing ability for opponents and kept them away from the net.

Discipline is something White and coaching staff, John MacInnis and Natalie Johnston, look for.

"Our systems do work when [rookies] use them," said White. The team was used to having six or seven dependable players, but with the size and speed of the rookies, it has nine, said White.

The speed from end to end is enhanced by rookies Ilhan Hassan, Lindsay Anderson and Ashley Page. Defense and size come from rookies Ashlee Faubert, Meg Domouchel, and Melissa Groniger.

As the game got under way, the bench kept the team moral up with spirited calls for 'defense' while star rookies Groniger, six-foot-two, and six-foot Domouchel denied passage on the inside. The score was tied 21-21 at the end of the first half.

Coach White was happy with the performance. "[St. Lawrence] only had 21 points in the first half, so that is good defense," said White.

Domouchel had a different opinion and was hard on herself and the team after the first half. "We're falling apart on defense," said Domouchel. "We should be kicking their ass."

In the second half, consistent blocking and scoring came from Groniger, while Faubert protected the net and swiped the loose rebounds. "[The rookies] are starting to play the way we thought they would be playing," said White.

Leadership came into play with Jenny Allen and Sara Maybee controlling the point, hitting three-pointers and foul shots when it counted. White still looks to players with experience when pressure situations occur. "Sometimes rookies make a mistake that experienced players wouldn't," said White.

White attributes a lot of his team’s success to his coaching staff.

This is the second season that John MacInnis has been with the team while it is the first for Johnston. The two share an intensity and passion for the game, but also have unique techniques when it comes to working with the girls.

Johnston is known to be "louder and more verbal" than previous coaches, according to MacInnis. Being female, it is also easier for Johnston to relate to the girls off the court.

MacInnis is known for his mentorship around Johnston and the girls. "There is a noticeable difference when John isn't there," said Johnston.

Nearing the end of the game, the Thunder capitalized on free throws, while Jenny Allen continued to break apart the defense, allowing Groniger and Maybee ample time to set up and sink their shots. With the final score being 53-49 in favour of the Thunder, some say it was too close for closure.

After the game, a former basketball coach of Maybee's, Pat Glancey, had words for and against the Thunder. "I didn’t think they played that well," said Glancey. "But they sunk their shots when they had to."

Sixty-year-old White brings wisdom to the court in his third year of coaching for the women's team. He was a player for Algonquin, a referee for 15 years and has coached for a total of 14. He has already led the team to two silver medals in the Ontario College Athletic Association finals. White has earned respect from his staff as well as his players, which can be seen on the court as he receives high-fives and laughs along with the players.

White is known to be social, indulging in pottery classes as well as movie nights. He has learned to be understanding and sensitive with the girls stating that emotions can run high when it comes to a misunderstanding or a loss.