Pipers throttle Rapids on defensive end to capture 4A title

The Argyle Pipers won the BC School 4A Girls Basketball Provincial Tournament. Garrett James photo

A suffocating second-half defensive effort carried the Argyle Pipers to the first girls’ basketball provincial championship in program history.

Clinging to a 36-28 halftime lead, Argyle locked down after the break, limiting the Riverside Rapids to just 13 points over the final 20 minutes to secure the BC School Sports 4A Girls Basketball Provincial Tournament title Saturday night on Ken Winslade Court inside the Arena Bowl at Langley Events Centre.

The Pipers showcased their depth with four players in double figures. Tournament Most Valuable Player Isabella Miljkovic led the way with 19 points, while Player of the Game Mariia Maydan added 18. Argyle’s ball movement was equally impressive, recording 20 assists on 32 made field goals.

Henna Virk paced Riverside with 10 points.

In the bronze medal game, M.E.I.’s Julianna Reimer erupted for 31 points in an 84-55 victory over the Semiahmoo Thunderbirds. Jaida Claypool led Semiahmoo with 21 points.

Tournament Awards & Honours

• MVP: Isabella Miljkovic, Argyle
• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Francesca Salonga, Riverside
• Championship Players of the Game: Mariia Maydan, Argyle; Jazz Landry, Riverside
• Most Sportsmanlike Team: Okanagan Mission Huskies
• Scholarships & Special Awards:
  • Surjeet Kaur Braich Memorial Scholarship: Syra Toor, Seaquam
  • Quinn Keast Foundation Scholarship: Kaitlin Vergara, Riverside
  • Inspiring Bandit Scholarship: Isabella Miljkovic, Argyle

All-Stars

• First Team: Jaida Claypool (Semiahmoo), Juliana Reimer (M.E.I.), Henna Virk (Riverside), Sadie Danks (Argyle), Eva Woodward (Argyle)
• Second Team: Elizabeth Fast (Charles Best), Shae Sandhu (Okanagan Mission), Ella Tatlock (M.E.I.), Kaitlin Vergara (Riverside), Savanna Wong (Semiahmoo)