The Oliver Hornets stopped the VSS Panthers 61-58 Saturday in the consolation final of the PIT Classic Senior Girls Basketball Tournament.
The Panthers trailed by three points at the half, but had a strong third quarter to lead by five to start the fourth. Quinsey Leier and Karley Fugel combined for 14 points in the third quarter
VSS ran out of energy as their intensity lowered for a five-minute stretch in the fourth which cost them the game.
Mary Rice recorded 14 points and five assists, while Sage Blundell chipped in with 10 points.
The Holy Cross Crusaders of Surrey stormed the Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops 53-33 in the championship final of the 14-team tourney.
Michelle Bos of Holy Cross was named MVP, while the all-star team consisted of Leier, Rachel Beauchamp of Holy Cross, Emily Hilton and Nicole Karstain, both of Sa-Hali, and Ashley McGinnis of Oliver.
The Kris Kringle Most Unselfish Player honours went to Miori Futemma of Sa-Hali, while the Top Defender award was won by Jenna Marion of VSS. The Panther Pride award went to Bailey Limb of VSS.
Sa-Hali grabbed a quick 6-0 lead and went up by 10 in the second quarter in a 56-49 semifinal victory over the Panthers. VSS got the lead down to one in the second half.
Leier dialed up a dozen points and supplied stellar defence on provincial teamer Karstain. Marion chipped in with 11 points, including nine in the quarter, while Rice canned 10 points.
“Grade 12s Heather Campbell, Bailey Limb and Christine Furrer did a great job on their point guard provincial teamer as well,” said VSS co-coach Lonny Mazurak, assisted by Bobby Mitchell.
The Crusaders ambushed the Hornets 59-33 in the other semifinal with Beauchamp earning MVP.
The Summerland Rockets bounced the Mt. Boucherie Bears 47-38 in the game for fifth place, while Kal iced the Fulton Maroons by 17 for seventh spot.
In earlier consolation play Saturday, Mt. Boucherie beat Fulton 59-38 with Hana Ouchi getting 14 points and Sam Ferreir draining a dozen for Fulton.
The Princeton Rebels toppled the L.V. Rogers Bombers of Nelson 44-31, Summerland downed Kal 59-33, Charles Bloom Timberwolves mauled Princess Margaret Mustangs of Penticton 49-35 and Princeton stuffed the Mustangs 44-31.
Carly Chaput, who drew double- and even triple-team coverage in the post, and Mallory Schunter (game MVP) stood out for the T-Wolves as they beat the Mustangs.
The Baby Panthers (Grade 8) won the Snowbasher Tournament in South Kamloops, taking the final 37-36 in overtime over the host Titans.
Dave Tetrault’s Cats opened the tournament with a thrilling 40-36 overtime win over Sa-Hali. Latisha Baker was player of the game with some superb defensive play, while Kristy Fugel, with 18 points, and Anna Rice, with 10, led the offence.
VSS defeated the KLO Cougars 37-33 in the semifinals behind player of the game Teal Hadland’s great defence and seven points. Fugel flushed 14 points, while Kendra Cooper and Rice each netted eight. Courtney Becker and Cailee Bauml dropped clutch baskets.
In the final, the Panthers got into foul trouble and trailed most of the game until Katie MacGillivray led the Cats back to a 33-33 draw after regulation time.
A steal and free throw by Hadland, with five seconds remaining, boosted the Cats, who got solid defence from Baker and Jessica Melvin.
“We are getting better every game,” said Tetrault. “Our defence is allowing us to stay in games. It was a fun weekend.”
