Make it three consecutive B.C. Catholic senior girls basketball titles for the Immaculata Mustangs.
On Saturday night in Burnaby, in enemy territory, the Mustangs downed the host Holy Crusaders 61-41 in the provincial final.
Inside a jam-packed Holy Cross gym, the Mustangs quieted the partisan crowd quickly, building up a commanding 39-16 lead.
Teaghan Wallace was a force at both ends of the floor for the Mustangs, scoring 12 points in the first half.
Katarina Routley played the entire game matching up with and holding the Crusaders’ leading scorer and point guard without a point.
Ashlyn Day and Kate Johnson paced the Mustangs attack, finishing with 20 points apiece.
Immaculata’s toughest test came in the semifinals, as the Mustangs held off St. Thomas More 54-50. Day led Immaculata with a massive second half, scoring 30 of her game-high 39 points.
Day was named the tournament’s MVP and also joined Teaghan Wallace and Kate Johnson in earning all-star recognition. Johnson was named the top defensive player in the tournament.
In addition to the individual accolades, coach Andrew Gini credited the B.C. title win to yet another solid team effort.
“Our team has gone through a lot of adversity this season and each and every player continues to step up for us,” Gini said. “Our bench has begun to prove they can hit those shots down the stretch that we need them too to take some pressure off our scorers.”
The Mustangs will next focus their attention on the Okanagan Valley championship and, ultimately, the B.C AA girls high school title.
“The remainder of our season will in no shape or form get any easier,” Gini added. “It’s going to be a battle and players are going to need to continue to step up. Everyone has shown tremendous character and fight that will take them far for the remainder of the season and their time after basketball.
“I believe our team has the most heart out of any team in B.C. and no matter what we will compete against anyone.”
