GUELPH, Ont. – There were several reasons why the Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team desperately wanted to end its regular season with a win. Heading into the playoffs on a high was a big one. But sending off two dedicated veterans the right way was equally important. The Gryphons got the job done with a tight 60-59 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks on a special Senior Day at the GGAC Saturday afternoon.
 
It was the last home game in red, black and gold for Julia Kokonis and Ashley White.

And when the day was done, there were many smiles and tears.
 
Second-year Gryphon Burke Bechard led the way with 11 points, 7 rebound, and 4 assists, while point guard Skyla Minaker was lethal, racking up 11 points, 6 boards, 7 assists, and an incredible 8 steals. Kokonis finished her career at the GGAC with 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. White had a big bucket in the early going and ended the day with 4 points, 2 rebounds and a steal. Both seniors started the game.
 
Bechard accounted for the winning bucket, taking contact and completing a drive with just 29 seconds left on the clock to put the hosts in front.
 
Guelph didn't shoot the ball particularly well but began tom find some consistent offence down the stretch, especially when head coach Mark Walton experimented with a five-guard lineup.
 
The Gryphons were in good shape late in the second quarter up 33-27 but Laurier closed with an 8-0 run to go up by 2 at the half.
 
Guelph had an opportunity to secure the No. 5 seed in the OUA West playoffs by beating Laurier by 10 points or more. The Gryphons have the No 6 seed and will travel to Windsor to take on the Lancers next Wednesday in the opening round of the postseason.
 
Gryphon Take
 
"Julia is the type of person that every coach hopes to have on their team. She is the ultimate 'team-first' player who consistently puts the team needs ahead of her own. Sometimes she is a starter and at other times comes off the bench. Each time, to serve the needs of the greater interest of the team. In the postseason last spring, she created a document/log/journal that each of her teammates could follow. It is an item that helps her peers with diet facts, suggestions and recommendations for pre-game and post-game nutrition and hydration. It also contains a handy and practical place where team-mates can log their daily workout, classroom assignments etc.

It will become the model for the Gryphons going forward. During her playing career, Julia battled through serious concussion issues that kept her out an entire season. She was able to rejoin the team as a player in December 2017. While she was sidelined, she continued to help team managers and coaches with practice and game prep items, always helping out her team. Julia is a determined power forward and can stretch the defense by shooting beyond the arc. She is a strong player that can battle the 'bigs' and rebound with the best of them. Her spirit and enthusiasm is infectious and greatly appreciated."
 
"Ashley joined the Gryphons last season while working toward her Master's degree in Criminology.  She has undertaken the role of providing an experienced post presence and has been a valuable asset on and off the court. Ashley possesses a fine touch around the basket and is eager to battle in the paint for rebounds or box out the opposition's primary rebounder. This thoughtful and articulate young woman has made great sacrifices for the team. She has been a consummate team player that puts the needs of the team ahead of her own. The rigors of team practices, games and travel together with teaching and tutoring younger criminology students, not to mention doing her own study, made for little personal time on her docket. All Gryphons, past and present, can point to Ashley as a personification of the term 'student-Athlete.' The Gryphons are better for having her in their fold and we wish her all the best."
  
"It's something that I said to them in the locker room that they'll remember the rest of their lives, that they won their last home game. It was an important thing for them. We have to go forward now, go to Windsor and see what happens on Wednesday."
 
"We were down 7 or 8 at one point, we fought through and came back. The fact that we could do that with an unconventional lineup on the floor bodes well for us going forward." – head coach Mark Walton
 
The Record
Guelph is 9-15
 
Next up
OUA Preliminary Round @ Windsor, Wednesday, Feb. 20