The New Westminster Hyacks have one last shot at a berth in the B.C. AAA girls’ basketball championships.
The senior girls earned the No. 5 Lower Mainland berth at the Crehan Cup high school basketball championships, following a 61-49 win over Richmond champions McMath on Saturday.
Princess Frias led the Hyacks with 21 points, while Mainland all-tournament forward Amanda Zacharuk added 20 points, including four three-pointers. Lauren Denusik chipped in with 13 points for the Hyacks.
On Friday, New West lost 61-50 to eventual third-place-finishing and tournament host Handsworth.
Sonia Heer scored a team-high 25 points in a game that New West led by seven points at halftime.
“We got tired and turned (the ball) over too much. That’s been our problem all year,” said Hyacks coach Doug Woodward.
New West also lost its semifinal matchup with district rival and eventual cup winner Burnaby South Rebels on Feb. 20.
Heer again led the way, knocking down 20 points including six treys against South.
Tournament MVP Jasmine Manhas led all scorers with 37 points, including 15 in a runaway third quarter where South outpointed the Hyacks 30-8.
South opened the first quarter with a 25-16 lead but squandered the advantage in a poor second quarter that left the Rebels trailing by six at halftime.
“We got to the locker room and talked about previous games and what we can do,” said Lukic, who was very involved in the third-period comeback. “In our district, (New West) is our biggest rival. (The games) are always up tempo. “We just keep pressing and putting them under pressure, and we know we can succeed.”
Lister scored eight of her 14 points in the pivotal third quarter, while Morrison got seven of her 10 in the second half.
Burnaby Mountain, 56-46 losers to runner-up Argyle in the cup semifinals, captured one of two Lower Mainland wildcard berths, following a 71-58 loss to host Handsworth on Saturday.
In the quarter-finals, Mountain upset Handsworth 65-60 to send the provincial honourable mention to the back side of the draw.
“We knew we’d have a huge challenge ahead of us,” said Mountain coach Steve Sacilotto. “We knew (Handsworth) girls were hungry to get revenge. We just had a hard time getting into their zone and getting our shots. But it’s a great honour for the girls.”
The Mountain Lions advanced to the consolation final with a 61-46 victory over Richmond champion McMath.
Lower Mainland all-star Jacey Bailey led Mountain with 16 points, while Shaireen Cassamali added 13 points and Alix Gabriel, who also picked up an all-star mention, chipped in with 12.
Mountain lost its wild card matchup with Fleetwood Park on Monday.
“If they’re hungry enough (next year), we’ll make that next step,” said Sacilotto.
New Westminster picked up the No. 5 Lower Mainland wild card berth, beating McMath 61-49 in the final Mainland wild card matchup.
Princess Frias led the Hyacks with 21 points, while tournament all-star Amanda Zacharuk tallied 20 points, including four three-pointers. Lauren Denusik also chipped in with 13 points.
New Westminster played its wild card matchup against Salmon Arm at South Kamloops Secondary School on Tuesday (after NOWdeadlines).
The AAA girls’ provincials will be held at the Langley Events Centre from March 5 to 8.
Burnaby in Jr. B.C.s
In B.C. high school junior basketball, St. Thomas More Collegiate qualified for both the girls’ and boys’ provincial championships to be held in Langley, beginning today (Wednesday).
New West is also entered in the junior girls’ provincial tourney.
