SAINT JOHN, N.B. – A fast start, a solid middle, a defend-the- late-threat and another title. Pretty much sums up Woodstock High Thunder and its continued domination of New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association girls’ AA basketball.

The defending champion Thunder erupted out of the gates, stretched a solid halftime lead and withstood a late Rothesay High charge to ground the Red Hawks and win a 62-48 decision in the Final 12 provincial final at a loud Harbour Station.

Harbour Station has certainly turned into Thunder Alley for Woodstock, considering its string of title runs.

This one looked like it would be done early. Real early. Thunder jumped into an 18-8 lead after 10 minutes and stretched that to a 36-16 lead at halftime, appearing in complete control under the direction of head coach Dana Lawrence.

Remember, too, Woodstock played the game without the services of provincial all-star Sandy Saunders,
injured late in the season and unable to cap her senior season as the Thunder leader.

Whatever head coach Shannon Fraser told her Red Hawks at the half worked as Rothesay owned a 19-18 third quarter edge, but it just wasn’t nearly enough to make up for the early deficit. Woodstock withstood the second half early surge and celebrated another title.

A pair of seniors paved the way for the Thunder. Lauren Cook and Madeline Orlando both scored 17 points. Hannah Hawkes, another Woodstock senior, canned 10. Laura Connolly powered Rothesay with 19 points. Riley Meahan had 12.

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