The Maple Ridge Ramblers came from 11 points behind in the fourth quarter and defeated Sullivan Heights 45-43 in overtime Saturday to win the Rick Hansen Grade 8 girls basketball tournament in Abbotsford.
Paige Bell – the tournament’s most valuable player – had 12 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for Ridge, which played most of tournament with only seven players.
Aly Heppner, a tournament all-star, had 13 points, including the basket that forced overtime, while Kirsten Senchyna recorded 10 points.
After allowing Sullivan Heights’ top player Shelvin Grewal to score 20 points in the first half, the Ramblers tightened up defensively, with Emily Morley, Taylor DeAdder and Ashley Lesser combining to hold her to three points in the second.
Sarah Rowbotham also played key minutes.
The Ramblers advanced to the final with a 33-25 win over Lord Tweedsmuir earlier that day. Heppner had 11 points, while Senchyna had nine.
The Ramblers started the day with a 48-47 double-overtime win over C&G Howe. Bell had 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists. DeAdder had 12 points, while Morley had eight.
“Winning three games in one day against such tough teams was a real accomplishment, considering we had only seven players,” said Ramblers coach Don Herman.
On Friday, the Ramblers played what Herman called their best game of the year, downing Brookswood 54-6. Kaila Barteski had a team-high 14 points. Bell had 11, while DeAdder added 10.
“Offensively, we passed well and made good decisions. Defensively, we forced tough passes and created turnovers,” Herman said. “Super team effort.”
Ridge opened the tournament Thursday, downing Tamamawis 36-22. Bell had 12 points and eight boards. Senchyna had nine points.
The Grade 8 Ramblers now have four tournament wins this season and, overall, have a record of 26-1.
