Local squads finish fifth, sixth at Fraser Valleys

Langley Christian girls finish fifth, Walnut Grove boys sixth at respective basketball championships

Langley Christian Lightning’s Abby Berg provides some tough defence against the Mt. Slesse Wolves’ ball handler during opening round action of the Grade 8 girls Fraser Valley championships last week.

Langley Christian Lightning’s Abby Berg provides some tough defence against the Mt. Slesse Wolves’ ball handler during opening round action of the Grade 8 girls Fraser Valley championships last week.

The Langley Christian Lightning lost just one game at the Fraser Valley championships, but unfortunately for them, it came in the quarter-final round.

The Lightning, the top seed of the 32 teams, lost to the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers 37-32 on Feb. 19. The Panthers — who were seeded eighth — continued their run of strong play, capturing the Fraser Valley title.

Langley Christian would rebound from the loss to win their final two games to place fifth at the championships.

The Lightning defeated Panorama Ridge 56-38 and Southridge 50-23 on Saturday and Monday, respectively.

The championship round of the Fraser Valley tournament was played at Burnsview Secondary.

Langley Christian hosted their first two games of the championships, hammering Mt. Slesse 70-7 and Holy Cross 53-17.

Three other Langley schools made the 32-team championships.

No. 12 Walnut Grove beat Maple Ridge 19-10 before losing to W.A. Fraser 34-30.

No. 19 Credo Christian won 48-45 over No. 14 Elgin Park in round one but lost their second game, 59-19 to No. 3 the Colleen and Gordie Howe Bulldogs.

And No. 13 Stafford lost 29-24 in the opening round to Abbotsford Traditional.

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The Walnut Grove Gators entered the Fraser Valley tournament seeded seventh out of 32 teams, and when it wrapped up on Monday, they emerged in sixth place.

The Gators lost 72-29 to Abbotsford Middle in the quarter-finals and 52-34 to Fleetwood Park in the fifth-place game.

Sandwiched in between was a 55-46 win over Sullivan Heights.

The final three days of the championships were held at D.W. Poppy Secondary.

Walnut Grove won their opening round game 44-28 over Sands on Feb. 16 and then beat Langley Christian 58-31 on Feb. 18 to advance to the final eight.

Langley Christian, who were seeded 10th, edged Southridge 42-41 in the opening round.

No. 20 Brookswood lost 47-37 to North Delta while No. 28 Langley Fundamental fell 49-18 to Fleetwood Park in their respective opening round games.

 

Langley Times