Sliding in as a secondary scoring threat, more often than not, on a talented St Benedict bears junior girls basketball team this fall season, Kendra Nebenionquit stepped into the spotlight in a big way at the recent Junior Girls All-star Game.
Coming off the bench early and nailing back to back three point baskets, Nebenionquit finished the game with 17 points and six rebounds as Team White defeated Team Dark 67-47 at the St Benedict gymnasium.
Joining the likes of Bears' teammates Emma DeMarchi and Kallie Smith in supplementing her high-school season with a club campaign with the Sudbury Jam, Nebenionquit first picked up basketball about three years ago but has noticed a much greater focus to the plays this year as she begins her high-school career.
"I play a couple of positions, either small forward or power forward," she explained. "At small forward, I get the ball a bit more. At power forward, you're the muscle."
"I didn't start the game but then I went in and just shot and it was back to back three point baskets," recalled Nebenionquit. "And then I got a whole bunch of steals and deflections and stuff."
Rosters for the all-star game were as follows:
Team White: Emma DeMarchi (St Benedict); Elicia Bihina (Lo-Ellen); Lexi Baker (Confederation); Azizah Abiola (St Benedict); Kendra Nebenionquit (St Benedict); Kyra Lefebvre (Confederation); Amaya Jefferson (Marymount); Katie Oberthier (Marymount); Helena Castro (Lockerby); Masha Dorovska (Lockerby); Piper Hamilton-Bachiu (CND) - coach Eric Alarie (Champlain)Team Dark: Malika Grenon (Champlain); Kallie Smith (St Benedict); Jessica MacLean (Champlain); Allie Vaillancourt (St Benedict); Jada Brohart (Espanola); Lilianne Jodouin (Champlain); Lily Mack (Lively); Sierra Kitchikake (Confederation); Amelia Admiraal (Lively); Kylan Batchelor (Lockerby); Simone D’Aoust (CND) - coach Ben Smith (St Benedict)
