Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Faces Tough Opening Defeat at Paris 2024
The Paralympic Games in Paris have kicked off with a gripping match in wheelchair basketball, where the Canadian women’s team faced a challenging opening game against China. The Canadians, aiming to make a strong start, were narrowly defeated by the Chinese team with a final score of 70-65.
From the get-go, the game was intensely competitive. The Canadian squad, featuring standout performances from players like Kady Dandeneau and Rosalie Lalonde, was locked in a tight battle with the Chinese team, who are the reigning vice-champions. Dandeneau delivered an impressive performance, scoring 28 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Lalonde, hailing from Saint-Clet, added 18 points to the Canadian tally, alongside five rebounds and three assists. Despite these stellar individual contributions, the team fell just short.
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The match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. Canada entered halftime trailing by a narrow 37-33, but managed to turn the tables and take a 55-53 lead going into the final quarter. However, the last ten minutes saw the Chinese team pull ahead, outscoring Canada 17-10, which sealed the game in their favor.
Canadian head coach Michele Sung expressed her thoughts on the game, noting the electric atmosphere and the team’s adherence to their game plan. "I was really pleased with our preparations; we stuck to our strategy. This match is a solid foundation for us, and I’m excited about the potential to build on this performance."
Alberta’s Arinn Young, who contributed seven points and three rebounds, reflected on the match, highlighting minor mental lapses as a factor in the loss. "We had some small errors that cost us, particularly with missed easy shots. But it’s a good learning experience. We need to regroup and get ready for our next game."
Despite the setback, there’s a lot of optimism around the Canadian team. The squad, which placed fifth in Tokyo three years ago, is gearing up for their next match against Great Britain on Saturday. The focus remains on learning from this game and making the necessary adjustments to perform better in the upcoming rounds.
The Canadian women’s wheelchair basketball team’s journey at Paris 2024 has just begun, and while this initial defeat is a challenge, it also sets the stage for a resilient comeback as they continue their quest for Paralympic glory.
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