McMath Wildcats capped an outstanding season with a sixth place finish at the B.C. Grade 9 Girls Basketball Championships in Kelowna.
The Wildcats opened the 16-team tournament with an impressive 54-32 win over Surrey’s Holy Cross Crusaders. The result set-up a quarter-final date with Vancouver and District champion Carson Graham. The North Shore powerhouse prevailed 52-37, sending McMath to placement play.
The girls rebounded with a 44-40 victory against Lord Byng, before concluding their memorable season with a close loss to Lord Tweedsmuir.
McMath had secured their spot in Kelowna with a strong post-season run that included winning the Richmond championship and finishing third at the Vancouver and District Championships.
After getting past McNair to win the city title, the Wildcats defeated Handsworth 48-43 to open the V&D championships. The girls then dropped a 27-19 decision to Argyle in the semi-finals before prevailing over Burnaby South, 39-22 in third place game.
Vancouver and District Champion Carson Graham, along with Argyle and Handsworth, joined the Wildcats in Kelowna.
With Grade 9 teammates Abby Zawada and Lyric Custodio unavailable by virtue of playing with the senior team for the playoffs, forward Martha Melaku led the team in scoring and rebounding last week.
Jenn Vonas stepped up to defend and stop some of the tougher players from the North Vancouver and Burnaby teams, while guards Jessica Porter and Dakota Chan led a pressure filled full court press that forced opponents into frequent turnovers.
The rest of the team includes Alyssa Azote, Jalen Donaldson, Allison Fast, Shania Falerio, Sophia Kostiuk, and Capri Horstmann. They are coached by Kira Carre, Becky Atkinson, Steven Flynn and Doug Tweedlie.
