2023 Fall Sports Recap

By: Cora Moreno

Our fall sports season has come to an end, and the athletes have left their mark with skill and determination. The teams have showcased exceptional capabilities, making our Raider family proud

The Senior Boys Volleyball team had a very successful season. They “had a very solid team this year with some outstanding players” who “hustled in practice and in games”, said athlete Logan Simmons. The Sr. Boys Volleyball team ended up finishing with a 10-2 record, evidence of their determination and dedication to each other and the game.  Their tenacity and teamwork brought them to the WCSSAA playoffs where they fought hard but lost to a strong BCI team in the semi-finals. Outstanding work Sr. Boys Volleyball Team!

The Senior Girls Basketball team’s high-spirits, talent and endurance led them all the way to CWOSSA this season! According to Coach Mickie, “from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, our senior girls demonstrated a level of teamwork that went beyond the bounds of mere athleticism.”  She thanks her “sisters and soldiers” for the “magic” they brought to the playoffs. The girls lost in a tight game to the winners of CWOSSA in the semi finals. Athlete Kenzie White commended her teammates for their “grit and determination” throughout the entire season  She also acknowledged the impact of their “outstanding coaches leading the way” to this exciting conclusion. The team ended off the season with many tears, not due to the loss, but because they were just sad to see such a great season come to an end.

This year's Cross Country season was nothing short of exhilarating. The team was able to showcase their endurance and perseverance through every stride. Coach Gohl praised the “awesome weather, awesome athletes and awesome results.” The team earned the title of “Champions'' in the WCSSAA finals.  Senior Girls went on to place 2nd and Senior Boys placed 4th at CWOSSA.  At OFSAA, Lily Churchill, Ellie Dowling, Lena Eys, Claire Huard, Georgia Nyman and Sydney Scott went on to represent KCI and WRDSB proudly with a strong finish!  Not only was this team strong in their athleticism, but their team became very bonded. Natalie Faulkner said “I will always say that cross country has the best spirit and community of all the sports clubs that I've been involved with. Everyone is very supportive and there's lots of glitter!”.

With skill, strategy and steadfastness, the Junior Girls Basketball team led an unforgettable season. The team dominated throughout the season and shone in the WCSSAA finals. According to Coach Armatage, “every player on the team contributed to the team's success by getting court time and adding in a positive way.”  When asked to describe the intensity of the final game she said, “LHSS started the game strong taking a 15pt lead at the half.  Our KCI Raiders did NOT give up and made an incredible comeback.  They closed the gap and went on to defeat LHSS by a score of 46-41”.  Congratulations to the Junior Girls Basketball Team on finishing the season undefeated, which is a historic achievement for any team!

The Junior Boys Football team's journey went beyond wins and losses, and was measured in the transformation of the team. The team didn’t let their 0 wins and 6 losses define them,but instead they took that as an opportunity to grow and be successful in more meaningful ways. “We transformed from a bunch of individuals who cared more about eye-black and pump-up songs to a group of dedicated players who worked hard for each other at practice and during games”, said a proud coach Roberts. This team never stopped caring for one another and worked cohesively together to create a memorable season. Athlete Chase Jordan shared his biggest take-away from being part of the Junior Boys Football Team, saying, “Our team really took time to break things down and look at the little successes, and that is something that I think everyone should do because it is a great way to improve yourself and measure your progress.”

As C Division finalists, the Senior Boys Football Team demonstrated adaptability as they adjusted to new roles and positions. “A major highlight was a victory over WCI, where the Raiders were successful in all three phases of the game and controlled from beginning to end”, said Coach Horn. The Senior boys were able to lead each other in effective ways, making sure they knew their responsibilities, which amplified their ability to succeed.  Cole O’Donnell commented on the team’s unity and dedication at every practice, saying, “all the boys were there, locked in, and putting in hard work to make the team and teammates better.”  Despite a challenging season, O’Donnell noted that the team “gained so much knowledge thanks to our coaching,”  and, “the strive to learn and get better even though we may have been losing games never stopped throughout the season.”

After an incredible Fall season of amazing team effort, skill and spirit, we look forward with anticipation to what our Raider Teams will gain and accomplish in the coming seasons. RED YELLOW BLACK! GO TEAM!