It was a perfect end to the club basketball summer for Vernon’s Jordan Korol and the UBCO Junior Heat U17 basketball squad.
The team, coached by former Vernon Panthers bench boss Bobby Mitchell, went 5-0 to win the U17 division at a tournament in Edmonton.
Korol was among five players who reached double digits in the Heat’s opening game, a 106-12 win over the Fort Mac U17 squad.
“Despite the lopsided score we were able to take a few things from the game most importantly the compliment following the game from the Fort Mac coach,” said Mitchell. “She said we were a very classy and respectful team and she appreciated that, kind words considering the score of the game.”
Korol had 11 points as the Heat thumped Swoosh U17 67-26. She led UBCO with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 55-47 victory over CBA U17.
“Jordan was great from start to finish in this game and her teammates did a fine job getting her the ball,” said Mitchell.
In a tough game against the UBCO Junior Heat U16 squad – whose lineup included Vernon’s Kristy Fugel and Katie McGillivary – Korol had 14 points to lead the U17s to a 64-50 decision.
Finally, Korol led all Heat scorers with 26 points and added eight boards in a 68-52 win over CBA U17.
“I am very proud of them for everything they did this summer on and off the court,” said Mitchell. “This team bought into the mindset of ‘team first,’ they showed they were willing to sacrifice a little bit of themselves for the greater good of the team and with a group this talented that was the only way we could have success.”
The Junior Heat went 17-5 in the club season.
Fugel, McGillivary and the U16 squad went 3-2 in Edmonton (scoring details not available).
