New Westminster was a Hail Mary away from a final four appearance at the B.C. junior girls’ basketball championships.
The junior varsity Hyacks, the eventual sixth-place finishers, were leading Oak Bay by a point with 2.3 seconds left to play in their quarter-final matchup when a desperation shot from the floor ended New West’s hopes of a top-four finish.
The shot rattled around the backboard and bucket before finally falling through the ring, giving No. 3 seed Oak Bay a 47-46 win and a trip to the semifinal.
Second team tournament all-star Sarah Forgie led the Hyacks with 20 points. Player of the game Devin Strome chipped in with eight points and a dozen rebounds, while ably defending Oak Bay’s star Georgia Alexander.
“I have been watching March Madness for years and seen this happen but never experienced it. … It was one of the most devastating feelings in my sporting life. We were all in shock afterwards,” said New Westminster head coach Stephen Bruyneel.
The following day, the Hyacks rallied to a 30-28 win over Vancouver Island runner-up Claremont in a tough defensive struggle.
Forgie was the hero in the game, sinking a pair of free throws with the game tied and just 11 seconds left on the clock to give New West the win.
In the ensuing battle for fifth and sixth spot, New West fell 53-38 to W.J. Mouat after playing the Abbotsford school even up in the opening half.
“I think we just ran out of gas,” said Bruyneel after the game. “When we started the year, we had six Grade 9s, three of whom were starters. We had a dream to be here. To finish sixth in the province is a great experience.”
Forgie had 16 points for New West, while player of the game Aly Fieber added 15.
The Hyack juniors opened with a 47-36 win over Westsyde.
“It’s good for next season,” Bruyneel added. “We have a pretty good nucleus for next year. It’s very positive.”
