A perfect 3-0 run gave the New Westminster Hyacks a good bounce heading into the Christmas break.
The senior girls basketball team finished atop the Bob Gair Classic tournament, framing the week with a 67-42 victory over Elgin Park. Led by tourney MVP Madisen Obrovac, who cashed in 13 points in the final, New West held the hammer most of the game and led off with a 10-0 run.
Up 45-15 at halftime, the Hyacks withstood a gritty rally by the Surrey rival to end undefeated. The Forgie sisters were the offensive leaders, with Sarah counting 16 points and Emma netting 15, while New West player of the game Zoe Roberts chipped in eight points. Sarah Forgie wound up on the all-star team, joined by Byrne Creek’s Michieh Kufaitandara, Elgin’s Danielle Steer and Credo Christian’s Jaylene Stam.
New West launched the series with an 81-80 victory over Langley’s Credo Christian, which was recently ranked No. 7 in the senior girls Single-A list. Sarah Forgie was the Hyacks player of the game, while Veronica Kobes earned the Credo honour.
At 5-1 on the young season, the squad is beginning to take shape.
“I am happy that we have six to eight players getting on the score sheet for every game,” remarked head coach Doug Woodward.
The next month will be very telling, he said, as a series of tough assignments – the Archbishop Carney Classic in PoCo, the Centennial Top-10 in Coquitlam, and the senior girls’ Chancellor tournament at St. Thomas More – provide deep exposure to the elite lineups of B.C.’s Triple-A hoop circuit. Add five league games to that mix, and January will set the stage for either a strong push for a provincial position, or a short season.
The host’s second game at the Gair tourney was an 88-27 triumph over district rival Byrne Creek Bulldogs, with guard Justice Steer earning the top player honour for New West, while Rhoda Diabikulu was Byrne’s player of the game.
The Burnaby school finished with a 1-2 record, topping Credo Christian in the consolation final.
Earlier, they were edged 57-56 by Elgin Park, with Jasdeep Jaswal carrying off the Bulldogs’ player of the game honour.
