The KSS Owls gave the Carson Graham Eagles all it could handle before settling for second best at the Sweet 16 junior girls basketball tournament.
In a matchup of size versus speed, the bigger Carson Graham team prevailed 50-46 in Saturday’s championship game at Immaculata.
Dez Day paced the Owls with 11 points in the final. First team all-stars Rachel Hare and Kennedy Dickie scored nine points each in Kelowna’s only loss of the weekend.
“This was another positive step for our team,” said Owls coach Kim Whelpton.
“Learning how to play in big games where composure, consistency and physical toughness are the difference will be important for us going down the stretch.
“We flat out need to be the most competitive team on the floor every possession regardless of the game situation and I will continue to demand that of our team.”
KSS defeated Nachako Valley 71-24 in their opener, with Hare scoring 23 points and Dickie scoring 19.
Game 2 saw the Owls defeat Pen High 60-22, with Dickie connecting for 19 points.
In the semifinal, KSS slipped past South Kamloops 63-61.
Dickie scored 21 points while Kasey Patchell added 14.
The Okanagan Mission Huskies, who co-hosted the tourney with Immaculata, defeated Penticton in their final game to place seventh overall.
The host Mustangs finished the weekend at 0-4.
