The Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) Junior Girls basketball team competed in the Northwest Zones Championship over the weekend, placing second in Smithers and earning a spot in the provincials later this month.
“They really came together as a team over the weekend. Everybody was working together well. The girls played extremely well and never gave up in the final despite two starters being injured and missing a lot of the game,” said Anna Ashley, coach of CHSS’ junior girls basketball team, adding the team has worked hard and played consistently this season.
“In the end they fell just short, but they played their hearts out.”
Going into zones, the junior girls were ranked as the No. 2 team in the region behind only Smithers’ Bulkey Valley Christian School, who were undefeated this season. The Rainmakers had beaten every other team they played against.
The girls started off strong in the zones, defeating Hazelton 42-15 on Friday night.
On Saturday the Rainmakers picked up their second straight win with a 33-12 victory over Skeena Middle School. The win earned the girls a spot in the finals against Bulkley Valley Christian School, where the Rainmakers fell just short of victory with a final score of 33-26.
“The Bulkley Valley Christian game in the finals was the most challenging — we were down by 12 at one point but the girls fought their way back,” said Ashley.
“The last time we played them we lost by 32 so to come back and only lose by seven is really an accomplishment.”
Henzle Masocol of the Rainmakers was chosen as a tournament all-star.
The girls were confident going into zones after winning all three games they played in Prince George the weekend prior. The Rainmakers played Prince George Secondary School’s team twice, winning the first match 26-17 and the second 36-23 and beating Prince George’s Duchess Park 30-29.
Provincials will take place in Langley from Feb. 26 to March 2.
