YSAA 2020 Basketball Champions

2020  Basketball Champions

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Photo by John Tonin

FIGHTING THROUGH CONTACT – F.H. Collins Warriors guard Maren Bilsky, right, powers through the defence of Vanier Crusader Christine Miral during second-half Yukon Championship action Thursday at Porter Creek.

Warriors complete unbeaten season

The F.H. Collins Warriors had the chance to complete a triple crown on Thursday evening at Porter Creek.

By John Tonin on March 13, 2020Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The F.H. Collins Warriors had the chance to complete a triple crown on Thursday evening at Porter Creek. The team won the Jamie Shaw Memorial Tournament in December and followed it with the Superhoops crown in February.

Standing in their way was the Vanier Crusaders, a team they had become familiar with throughout the season. The Warriors did what worked so well for them all season – pressed and got out on the break.

They built an early lead and didn’t look back winning the Yukon Championship 92-44.

The girls’ basketball season had a different feel to it as the Porter Creek Rams folded only leaving the Warriors and Crusaders.

Tournament MVP Maren Bilsky said even though they played the same team, it was still a special moment to walk away as Yukon champions.

“I feel amazing, there is no other way to say it,” said Bilsky. “I love my team, of course love my coach, we came so far. Even though we played against one team I thought we did amazing.”

Since the two teams had played each other so much, Bilsky said there was plenty of familiarity.

“We know all their habits which made it a little bit easier,” said Bilsky. “At the same time, they know all of yours so you are learning all the time.”

Using there press defence, the Warriors jumped out to an early lead in the opening half. Bilsky said that was the plan heading into the game.

“Pressing is one of the most underrated things in the entire game,” said Bilsky. “Fakes and pressing. A press can give you the biggest jump in score and that’s all you need to keep on going.”

Bilsky captured the Yukon Championship in her Grade 12 year. For next year, she has committed to suit up for Comosun College. She described what it was like playing her final competitive high school basketball game.

“It was a little bittersweet,” said Bilsky. “I’ve grown up, played all my games here and played with the Yukon team my entire life. Now, going to Victoria it’s going to be a little different but I’m excited.”

The possibility of winning the three major titles basketball has to offer did not cross the team’s mind said Bilsky.

“I realized after we won this tournament that we haven’t lost a game this season,” said Bilsky. “It’s not like its been easy. It’s been a lot of hard work, and a lot of running, a lot of mornings. It was 100 per cent worth it.”

Both teams employed a press defence to begin the game but it was the Warriors who were able to break it and score easy baskets at the rim. Emma Boyd was the beneficiary of some crisp passes and scored with ease under the basket.

The Warriors took a 35-11 lead heading into halftime.

For there part, Vanier didn’t show any quit and continued to attack the basket and had some success there. However, on there missed shots they weren’t able to corral rebounds for second chance opportunities.

Alyssa Cuenza, Nicole Farkas, Jaelene Minguito, Boyd and Paige Seeley were named to the all star team.

Photo by John Tonin

SPLITS THE DEFENCE – Porter Creek Rams guard Kiiwaadin Swan powers through the Vanier Crusader defence during first-half Yukon Championship action at Porter Creek on Thursday evening.

Rams outlast Crusaders in title game

In the final game of the high school basketball season two familiar foes took the court against each other on Thursday night at Porter Creek Secondary School.

By John Tonin on March 13, 2020Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In the final game of the high school basketball season two familiar foes took the court against each other on Thursday night at Porter Creek Secondary School.

The Vanier Crusaders were looking to make it nine straight Yukon Championship wins in a row. Standing in their way was the Porter Creek Rams – the Superhoop champions.

Porter Creek overcame a double-digit deficit and took control of the game in the final minutes to put an end to Vanier’s Yukon Champs reign winning 79-69.

The game was much closer than the 10-point spread the final score indicates.

Heading into the fourth and final quarter, the Crusaders were up by four, 55-51.

The teams traded baskets to begin the frame. The Rams took the lead 62-61 off a layup in traffic by Kiiwaadin Swan.

Vanier retook the lead on back-to-back threes by Josh Rumbaoa and Josh Apostel but the advantage was short lived.

With 3:30 remaining the score was tied at 67 apiece. Vanier’s offence went dry while the Rams forced the issue and got to the foul line.

The Rams hit their free-throws at a decent rate and pushed their advantage to 75-67. Vanier got a basket back but Cole Robulak and Broden Cull each made two huge buckets at the end to ice the game.

Even in the tense moments of the second half when the game could have gone either way, Swan said the team remained confident.

“Our coach (Paul MacDonald) always has a plan for us,” said Swan. “We just listened to him and it worked out for us. It was cut to the basket, get a wide open layup and if not pass the ball out and shoot the ball.”

Swan acknowledged the team opposite and said they gave them a fight.

“They gave it there all,” said Swan. “But we played out hearts out and we played good D and played good offence, we played our hearts out too.”

Only in his Grade 11 year, Swan said the Yukon Champs, plus Superhoops were the first titles he’s won, he was left without words.

“I can’t even explain how I’m feeling right now,” said Swan.

Porter Creek was a force all season and Swan said in his senior year he is looking forward to running it back and making a run at more championships.

It was a packed and energetic building and the early play in the first quarter mimicked the atmosphere in the gym. The pace was frantic, bodies hit the floor for loose balls and the teams struggled to find their offence early.

Using a stifling press, Vanier was able to pull ahead first and maintained a lead throughout the first half. The Crusaders went into the halftime break up 39-33.

The Crusaders got hot from behind the arc after the break and they lead by as many as 13 points in the third stanza.

However, Porter Creek stuck to their game plan and cut into the deficit only trailing by four heading into the fourth, where they would eventually take control.

After the medals were handed out, the Yukon Championship all star team was named. F.H. Collins Warriors guard Ralph Hermosa, Rumbaoa, Swan, Cull, and Vanier’s Christian Miral were named to the team.

Tournament Most Valuable Player was Aiman Salim.