Massey’s Sumner thrives in new position

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This article was published 07/12/2024 (485 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jessie Sumner is a coach’s dream.

The Vincent Massey Vikings’ senior plays tough on offence, harder on defence and doesn’t quit.

“She’s got a great attitude, she loves the game, she’s a gym rat, she’s in all the time so I’m not surprised by anything she does out there,” said Vikings head coach Derek Barnett.

“I’m certainly happy that she’s really committed to the defensive end and setting the tone for us on that end.”

Sumner led a defensive unit that didn’t give up a field goal for more than 13 minutes of their varsity basketball season debut. She also dropped 14 points as the Vikings beat the Portage Saints 55-24 in the quarterfinals of the Crocus Plains Early Bird tournament on Friday.

The six-foot guard played mainly as a forward last season but with a big Vikings lineup and her improved ball control after playing for Team West in the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games in Dauphin, she shifted to a guard spot.

“I love it so much. I started playing a little bit in the summer but I’ve started noticing the improvements in my shooting starting, so I’m really excited to be starting this new position,” Sumner said.

“I’m loving the enthusiasm we have as a team together and just how we push each other. We know our limits but we’re willing to try and overcome them as a team.”

The Vikings started their first game slow on the offensive end, putting up just 12 points in the first quarter.

A few minutes later, Sumner had a quick nine points and the Vikings doubled their production entirely with transition offence.

Sumner hit a few layups then showed her outside touch with a corner three-pointer.

While she admits she’s still a little hesitant with the ball on the perimeter, she will cause problems for opponents with her strength and length as she figures it out.

“She’s such a versatile player that she can really play spots one through five,” Barnett said.

“As part of her development, trying to get her on the wing a little bit more. She can shoot it, make plays so that’s where she’s best to open things up for us.”

The Vikings ran away with their opener — led by Kypling Black’s 17 points — but they know games will get tougher. They face the Dauphin Clippers in today’s semifinal at 9 a.m., with the winner taking on the Crocus Plainsmen at 3:30 p.m.

Dauphin beat Swan Valley 74-50 as Aubrey Carr posted a game-high 21 points.

The Plainsmen topped the Virden Golden Bears 74-17 in their opener with Iliana Courchene putting up 17 points and Rebecca Alebiosu and Grace Mohr-Clark adding 12 each.

Piper Reid led Virden with 10 points.

Ivy Perkin had 10 points to lead the Souris Sabres past the Neepawa Tigers 48-27.

Crocus bounced Souris to the third-place game on Friday evening, prevailing 58-39.

A Massey win this morning sets the stage for a terrific Wheat City showdown, and a good test for Sumner and her Vikings with one of her two big goals for the season in mind.

The first is to win the city title, bringing home the plaque that sat at Crocus long enough to collect dust before Neelin borrowed it in 2023 and handed it back last winter.

The second has little to do with wins and losses.

“I also want to be more encouraging (to my teammates) and help them enjoy the season as much as I do,” Sumner said.

“I love this sport with all my heart, it is one of my favourite things. If I can give someone else a chance to love it as much as I do, I would definitely do that.”

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