Giroux aims for double championships

BY SCOTT HADDOW

When the game is on the line, basketball player Stephanie Giroux is sure to be in the mix of things making a big impact.

At an imposing five-foot-11, Giroux plays the post position for the Sacre-Coeur senior girls' basketball team and the Junior Lady Vees club squad.

Only 16, Giroux is counted on to bring offence to her teams, but, more importantly, unquestionable leadership and character.

On the court, Giroux can dominate games with her size, strength, agility and guile.

Giroux knows she has an edge and uses it to her full advantage to help her teams succeed. She doesn't go looking for the pretty baskets or easy route.

Routinely, opponents try to thwart her attacks by double, triple and quadruple teaming her. Giroux overpowers them, goes around them, and does whatever it takes to put the ball in the net.

Giroux drives the net with such ferocity because her teammates work hard to get her the ball, and she's going to make sure their efforts are rewarded with two points.

This is the way Giroux operates. It's team first above all else. This is why she's a leader on two teams.

"I know I have a role on my teams and I know what I have to do," the Grade 11 student said. "I don't think about what I can do...I think about what the team can do together to improve and win."

Giroux helped guide the Sacre-Coeur squad to a 7-2 regular season record and third place overall in the Division II standings. Along the way, Giroux averaged almost 11 points-per-game, scoring 65 points in six games. It placed her 10th in league scoring. In the playoffs, Giroux kept up the pace, while leading the Griffons to their first ever city championship by beating first place Marymount in the final by the score of 48-46. In the NOSSA B Championships, Giroux saved her best for last as she led the charge for Sacre-Coeur to the gold medal game. There, Giroux tallied 15 points to help Sacre-Coeur defeat rival Bishop Alexander Carter 40-25 and claim the NOSSA banner for their school.

"Her determination to do well stands out," Sacre-Coeur coach Ron Dubuc said.

"Stephanie puts a lot of pressure on herself to succeed. Sometimes it's positive and sometimes it's negative. She's very sentimental and a leader on our team because of her effort."

Giroux is in control of her own destiny.

"I tell her when she puts her mind to it and focuses, there's nobody who can touch her," club coach Shirlene McLean said. "She has great size and is a true post player. Stephanie has great post moves and is comfortable with her back to the net. Now, she's developing a perimeter game. She has a bright future...with the potential to be a strong university player. She has to dig down and put in the time...she will have a lot of avenues to continue her basketball career."

Giroux was happy with the high school season.

"We didn't expect this much this year," Giroux said. "It meant everything to win cities because it was the first time our school did it. We went beyond expectations. We return everyone back next year so we're going to be back just as strong."

Giroux has realized she wants to pursue her basketball options to the fullest extent.

"I decided to just play basketball and work on my studies this year."

Giroux's club season starts in January.