Thunder, Eagles set to battle in 1A final

Championship Saturday is set at Langley Events Centre.

With three days in the books at the BC School Sports Girls Basketball Provincial Championships, eight teams remain in the hunt for provincial glory in their respective tiers as the four-day, 64-team, 128-game championships gets set for its conclusion.

All four finals will be played on the Ken Winslade Court in the Arena Bowl on Saturday (February 28).

1A: Acwsalcta Thunder vs. Cedars Christian – 1:00pm

2A: Holy Cross Crusaders vs. St. Thomas More Collegiate – 3:15pm

3A: Vernon vs. Langley Christian – 5:30pm

4A: Argyle vs. Riverside– 7:45pm

1A TOURNAMENT

The top two seeds are set to face off for provincial glory in the BC School Sports 1A Girls Basketball Provincial Tournament, after the Acwsalcta Thunder and Cedars Christian Eagles each secured commanding wins in Friday’s semi-finals at Langley Events Centre.

Cedars Christian Eagles (#2, Prince George) 71 Dasmesh Falcons (#6, Abbotsford) 33

Chloe McEwan dominated with 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Cedars Christian Eagles cruised into the championship final with a commanding 71-33 victory over the Dasmesh Falcons.

After a tight nine-point first half, the Eagles turned up the defensive pressure, holding Dasmesh to just 11 points over the final 20 minutes. Cedars Christian’s size proved decisive on the boards, out-rebounding the Falcons 68-41, including an impressive 36 on the offensive glass.

McEwan led a balanced attack, with Cadence Hooft adding 14, Sofija Johnson 13, and Maeli Kelsh 12 points. For Dasmesh, making their first-ever provincial appearance, Gurjaan Mahal and Gurnoor Mahal each scored 11 points.

Acwsalcta Thunder (#1, Bella Coola) 71 Nechako Valley Viqueens (#4, Vanderhoof) 49

Locked in a tie early in the second half, the Acwsalcta Thunder shifted into another gear. The Bella Coola squad erupted for a decisive 32-5 run across the third and fourth quarters, powering their way to a 71-49 victory over the Nechako Valley Viqueens to punch their ticket to the championship game.

Annika Parr was dominant, pouring in 28 points while hauling down 20 rebounds and adding three assists and three blocks. Twin sister Ayanna — named Player of the Game — delivered a stellar all-around performance with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, seven steals and a block. Kashlyn Mack chipped in 16 points as the trio accounted for all but two of the Thunder’s points.

Arianna Scott-Unger and Abby Dykstra led the Viqueens with 10 points apiece.

ROUND 3 SCORES