A dominating performance by the Holy Cross Crusaders tipped-off the B.C. Senior AA girls high school basketball tournament in Kamloops yesterday.
The Crusaders, the top-seed at the 16-team event, defeated the J.L. Crowe Hawks 116-24.
Nicole Vanderhelm paced the Crusaders with 25 points, and was one of five players to score in double digits.
Maria Pelmegiani and Rachel Beauchamp recorded double doubles. Beauchamp netted 16 points while grabbing 10 rebounds while Pelmegiani scored 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Michelle Bos with 19 and Amy Sprangers with 10 also contributed to the win.
The Crusaders will play their second-round game this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. against the Duchess Park Condors of Prince George.
The Holy Cross boys team also won their first round game Wednesday, topping the Charles Hayes Rainmakers 81-43. The Crusaders led 20-11 after one quarter and were up 43-21 by half time. They outscored the Rainmakers by a 20-2 margin in the third quarter, taking a 63-23 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Taylor Browne with 21 points and Henry Maduabueke with 20 paced the Crusaders attack. Bright Dododza added another 11.
The boys will also play at 1:30 p.m. today in a second-round game against the St. Michael’s University Jaguars.
The Delview Raiders are also in the boys competition, and dropped their first round match to the to the RC Palmer Griffins of Richmond 86-60. Jaiten Rana led the Raiders with 19 points with Wowie Untalan adding 14. Delview will play the South Okanagan Hornets today.
