Blue Jags and Panthers set to battle for 3A title

The Abbotsford Senior Panthers defeated the R.A. McMath Wildcats 75-67 to advance to the BC School Sports 3A Girls Basketball Provincial Tournament. The Panthers will face the St. Michaels University School Blue Jags in the final after the Blue Jags defeated the South Kamloops Titans. photos courtesy of Vancouver Sports Pictures

The top two seeds will meet for the BC School Sports 3A Girls Basketball Provincial Tournament title.

The No. 1 seed St. Michaels University School Blue Jags from Victoria will face the No. 2 ranked Abbotsford Senior Panthers. The two teams will hit the floor at Langley Events Centre on Saturday (March 4) with the game tipping off at 5:45pm.

Abbotsford Senior Panthers 75 R.A. McMath Wildcats 67

The Abbotsford Senior Panthers rode a dominant second quarter to a 75-67 win over the R.A. McMath Wildcats. The Wildcats – the defending 3A champions and No. 3 seed – held a slim 14-12 lead after a quarter before the Panthers blew the game open with a 24-13 second period.

McMath would get within four points in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers were able to ice the game from the free throw line. Malia Lenz (27 points, 10 rebounds) sank eight of 10 free throw attempts in the final period and was 11-for-14 for the game. Nyah Vermeulen posted a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Marina Radocaj scored 27 points with eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block for the Wildcats.

St. Michaels University School Blue Jags 43 South Kamloops Titans 32

And while Abbotsford Senior was putting up points, their championship opponent was delivering a dominant defensive performance in their semi-final matchup.

Facing the No. 4 South Kamloops Titans, the top-seeded St. Michaels University School Blue Jags held their opponent to nine first-half points in a tight defensive battle with the Blue Jags up 19-9.

Makena Anderson (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals) and Avery Geddes (10 points) paced the Blue Jags attack. Kiana Kaczur led the Titans with 13 points.

For more information, schedule, scores and game sheets, please visit www.bchighschoolbasketballchampionships.com/3agirls/

Games are also available to stream on pay-per-view at www.tffsetv.ca

-30-