Walnut Grove's Andrew Goertzen was named a second team all-star and the tournament's most inspirational player at the Western Canadian Tournament in Kelowna. The Gators went 3-0 to capture the tournament title.

Walnut Grove's Andrew Goertzen was named a second team all-star and the tournament's most inspirational player at the Western Canadian Tournament in Kelowna. The Gators went 3-0 to capture the tournament title.

Two tournaments, two gold for Gators

Walnut Grove senior boys and girls teams both victorious at respective Kelowna tournaments

It was a winning weekend in Kelowna for both the senior boys and girls basketball teams for Walnut Grove Secondary.

The Walnut Grove senior girls, now ranked fourth among B.C. 3A teams, were competing at the Kelowna Invitational Tournament and in the championship final, they edged the Kelowna Owls 68-64 behind a 49-point performance from Tavia Rowell.

The game was back-and-forth and featured four lead changes and eight ties.

Leah Fortin earned player of the game honours as she contributed stellar defence both in the final and throughout the tournament.

In the team’s other games, they beat Duchess Park 70-67 and Penticton 73-56.

Rowell (25 points) was player of the game in the first contest while Jessica Wisotzki took the honours in game two with 23 points and seven rebounds.

Natalie Rathler pulled down 15 rebounds while Rolande Taylor had 10 points and 10 boards in that semifinal victory.

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The Walnut Grove senior boys defeated the Kelowna Owls in a battle of the two top-ranked 4A teams in the province on Saturday night.

Competing in the finals of the Western Canada Tournament in Kelowna, the No. 1 Gators beat Kelowna 73-68.

Ty Rowell and Jake Cowley earned first team all-star awards while Andrew Goertzen was both a second team all-star and the tournament’s most inspirational player.

Walnut Grove also defeated Campbell Collegiate 89-58 and Oak Bay 72-60.

 

Langley Times