The Okanagan Mission Huskies’ depth and balance have been on full display while mushing their way to the championship game at the Tsumura Basketball Invitation in Langley.
On the heels of a win on opening day, B.C.’s No. 1-ranked AAA Huskies disposed of Langley’s Walnut Grove Gators (No. 3-Quad A) in quarter-final play on Friday and followed up by defeating the Langley Christian Lightning in a semifinal showdown for the right to play in today’s final (6:30 p.m.) against Britannia Bruins of East Vancouver.
Eight different players shared in the scoring in the 59-40 win over Langley Christian. Grade 11 forward Lily Pink led the way with her 16-point performance and Makenna Jacklin added 12, eight of which came from eight attempts from the free-throw line. Melaina Corrado and Grade 10 Stella LaGrange contributed seven points apiece.
“It’s pretty cool because in any game, I can start anybody, and I actually have changed it up every single game,” OKM head coach, Meghan Faust, shared with Howard Tsumura of Varsity Letters and the tournament namesake. “It’s great because the girls are competing even harder for that starting spot and working hard to stay out there.”
In the victory over Walnut Grove, the Huskies had 10 players make their mark on the scoresheet, with the 5’10” Pink again topping the list with 21 points. Corrado, the team’s point guard who has committed to join the UBC Okanagan Heat next season, added 12 points to go along with 11 from Grade 10 Shae Faitala. Two other Grade 10s, Elana Corrado, and LaGrange, chipped in with eight points apiece.
“It’s been incredible,” the elder Corrado told Tsumura, referring to the depth of the team despite losing key Grade 12s from last season’s solid corps. “I am so impressed with all of the young girls on our team, and to see how far we have come in a short time . . . this group has just been unreal.”
Faust said Corrado, one of only two Grade 12s on the team has been a steadying influence on her young team.
“She is such a mentor at point guard and to the younger guards out there. She just works harder than anyone on the court. And she doesn’t necessarily lead vocally, but all her hard work and her example is what we get.”
Meanwhile, the unranked and surprising Britannia Bruins denied an all-Kelowna championship final by upsetting the Kelowna Owls 76-59 in their semifinal matchup on Friday.
Britannia jumped out to a 10-2 lead and never trailed against the Owls who would get to within three points late in the first quarter but couldn’t get any closer.
Surprise Munie served notice she’ll require special attention from the Huskies tonight. She led the Bruins with 33 points while Grade 11 post Shiah Holmes was the top scorer for the Owls with 17.
KSS, ranked eighth among Quad A teams in the province, had earned a spot in the semis by downing No. 3 (AAA) R.A. McMath Wildcats of Richmond 70-39 in quarter-final play.
Tessa Bentley and Katrina Fink were the top Owls shooters with 16 and 12 points respectively.
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