The Abbotsford Panthers senior girls basketball team captured the 2020 Timberwolves Classic title on Saturday night.
The three-day event featured some of the best 4A and 3A teams in the province and the Panthers went a perfect 4-0 at the tournament hosted by Robert Bateman Secondary School.
The Panthers opened with a big 85-52 win over North Delta on Thursday and then took care of McMath 79-53 on Friday to advance to the final four.
Abbotsford then edged the defending champion Walnut Grove Gators 84-83 in nail biter on Saturday morning to move on to the finals and a date against the Okanagan-Mission Huskies.
The Huskies and Panthers entered the tournament as the first and second ranked teams in 3A competition, and it was the Panthers opened up a seven point lead after one and were up nine at the half to cruise to the 82-69 win.
FINAL. Abby 82 OKM 69.
Fantastic effort by both teams, aggressive and smooth game. Lily Pink (OKM) and Marin Lenz (OKM) going toe to toe.Marin Lenz Tournament MVP. @theBCSportsHub @htsumura @LangleyEvents @BCHoopScoop @BCHoopGirls @AbbyNews pic.twitter.com/RpnPlk6XvL
— Bateman Girls Basketball (@BatemanBball) January 26, 2020
Abbotsford’s Marin Lenz was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
The Yale Lions were the only other Abbotsford team to advance to the winner’s bracket, as they beat South Kamloops 81-59 on Thursday but then fell 75-64 to Heritage Woods on Friday. The MEI Eagles finished 2-1 at the event, bouncing back with two wins after an opening day loss. The host Timberwolves and W.J. Mouat Hawks both went 1-2 at the event.
Local tournament all-stars included: Abbotsford’s Malia Lenz and Lakresha Edwards and Yale’s Karishma Rai.
10 Tournament All-Stars
Jenna Griffin – Heritage Woods
Liz Kennedy – McMath
Fania Taylor – Walnut Grove
Indie Learie – Valleyview
Karishma Rai – Yale
India Aikins – Lord Tweedsmuir
Devon Felt, Lily Pink – OKM
Malia Lenz, Lakresha Edwards – AbbyTourney MVP – Marin Lenz pic.twitter.com/CkmDpN6oXE
— Bateman Girls Basketball (@BatemanBball) January 26, 2020
Starting on Thursday it’s the boys turn at Bateman as the Timberwolves Classic senior boys event tips off.
The host Wolves, Rick Hansen Hurricanes and MEI Eagles are the local teams participating. Bateman opens against the Steveston-London Sharks at 1:45 p.m., the Eagles battle the St. Thomas More Knights at noon and Hansen squares off against Pitt Meadows at 3:30 p.m.
Games continue on Friday, and the final is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
2020 Senior Boys Timberwolves Classic Draw is now posted for Jan 30-Feb 1 weekend.
The best AAA teams and players from around the province! @BCHoopScoop @theBCSportsHub @BC3ABoysBBall @htsumura @BenLypka @AbbyNews @Sportvictoria2 pic.twitter.com/8gmDCc3prO
— Bateman Boys Basketball (@bateman_bball) January 17, 2020
