Lightning aim to nix Titans repeat bid

Mulgrave’s Eva Ruse had 34 points and 20 rebounds as her Titans dominated the St. Thomas More Collegiate Knights in the BC School Sports 2A Girls Basketball Provincial Championships. photo courtesy of Vancouver Sports Pictures

The Mulgrave Titans are set to make a third straight appearance in the championship game while the Langley Christian Lightning make a third appearance in the past four tournaments with both schools looking for their second title in that span after each team won their respective semi-final games Friday on the third day of the 2024 BC School Sports 2A Girls Basketball Provincial Championships.

The teams will tip off on Saturday (March 2) at 4:00pm on Centre Court.

The top-seed Titans come in as the defending champions while Langley Christian – who won the 2022 title over Mulgrave – aim to improve on their bronze medals from the 2023 tournament.

Mulgrave won 70-44 over the No. 5 St. Thomas More Collegiate Knights while the third-seed Lightning pulled off the 74-40 upset over the No. 2 Holy Cross Crusaders.

The Titans started their game on a 17-2 run and never looked back, leading by double digits the rest of the way in their 70-44 victory. Eva Ruse proved unstoppable for Mulgrave as the 6-2 forward delivered a 34-point performance, 20 rebounds as well as a pair of steals, two blocked shots and an assist. And while Ruse was the primary scorer, Jenna Talib chipped in with 19 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists and three steals and one blocked shot.

The Knights were led offensively by 14 points from Demicah Arnaldo and 10 from Mail Beliveau. Beliveau also had six rebounds, six steals and five assists.

The other semi-final winner saw the Lightning also open on a 17-2 run as they defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders 74-40.

Colette Van der Hoven poured in 33 for Langley Christian to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Grace Bradshaw added 13 to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

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