After a dispiriting two-point loss in the semifinals, the Kelowna Owls showed their resilience by winning the bronze medal at the B.C. junior girls basketball championship.
The Owls, seeded third heading into the provincial tournament in Langley, downed No. 1 Lord Tweedmuir 47-40 in Saturday’s third place game.
Rachel Hare was fouled while hitting clutch three-pointer with a minute remaining, then connected on one of two fouls shots to put the game away for KSS.
Kennedy Dickie paced the Owls attack with 13 points, Hare added 12, while Dez Day scored five.
“After missing out on the chance to play for the provincial championship, these ladies could have packed it in mentally but they showcased their character and competitive spirit by battling all game long,” said Owls coach Whelpton.
The Owls came within a basket of reaching the final, but fell 62-60 to Walnut Grove in the semifinal, as the Gators hitting the winning bucket with 11 seconds remaining.
Dickie had 23 points, Hare added 15, while Kasey Patchell scored nine.
Despite their narrow miss in reaching the gold medal game, coach Kim Whelpton couldn’t have been more proud of the Owls effort at provincials and throughout the season.
“This team truly embodied everything you hope to see our of your players,” Whelpton said. “They were unselfish, put the team first and were committed to becoming the best basketball players and teammates they could be this season. They were a class act and I’m going to miss coaching them.”
Kennedy Dickie was named to the first all-star team, while Rachel Hare earned second team honours.
Argyle defeated Walnut Grove to win the gold medal.
