If Gibsons girls softball wasn't well known before last weekend, it certainly is now.
For the first time, Gibsons sent all four of its teams to their respective provincial championships. All of the teams put in great performances with the Midget Crusherz coming home with the lone medal, a bronze, from their tournament in Summerland.
Coaches Mona Anderson and Michele Borley helped lead the team to a 3-1 finish in the round robin 16-team event. The top six teams made the playoffs, and Gibsons finished fourth in the round robin.
After winning their first playoff game in a two extra inning thriller over New Westminster, Gibsons dropped a close game to Victoria, meaning they had to win out in the double knock-out playoff format.
Gibsons got on a bit of a roll, beating Fleetwood from Surrey and Abbotsford, but then lost to Vernon, the eventual champions, to end their gold medal hopes.
Both coaches said they were very proud of the team.
"It's an incredible group of girls," said Borley. "They were determined to win and played hard all weekend long."The team does have some previous provincials experience, which Anderson said was an asset.
"We came from behind in several games and they just worked so well together," said Anderson. "We're just super proud of how well they played."
The Bantam Thrasherz, coached by Sean Whalen and Garry Benner, led their team to a 2-2 round robin and seventh place overall finish, missing the playoffs by one spot at their tournament in Abbotsford.
Whalen said their first game, a 6-5 setback, proved to be their undoing.
"We lost to a team we should have beat," said Whalen. "The way sports go, one game can cost you, and in this case it did. We had the bases loaded four innings in a row, but just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it."While being so close to the playoffs and missing out was disappointing, both coaches praised the team for their on-field play.
"The experience that everyone got was huge," said Benner. "That can only help them next year. If they make the provincials again, I think it will be a different story."
In Cloverdale, coaches Mike Kinne and Charles Storvold helped lead the Peewee Slammerz to a 2-2 round robin record and came just shy of a playoff berth.
Storvold said every game was close, but for him, the biggest stepping stone was playing so well against the host team, a team they had big trouble with during the regular season.
"We asked our team to put everything into it, and they did that and more," said Storvold.
"We're very proud of the team," added Kinne. "Anytime you can get to a tournament like this and play with teams of such a top calibre, it's a great learning experience. To do as well as we did is a great accomplishment."
The Slammerz had a fantastic season, compiling a 19-2 record before the provincials.
"It was tough when we lost and the girls realized they wouldn't be playing in the playoffs. They were not used to losing, so it was tough to take, but I think they'll look back on the experience and know they played hard and did their best," added Kinne.
The Squirt Crusherz, led by coaches Cheryl Gillard and Laura Ewert, went 3-1 in the round robin and finished in sixth, advancing to the playoffs in their tournament in Richmond.
Gibsons beat Richmond in their first playoff game, and then advanced to play top seed View Royal in their fourth game of the day.
Twelve hours on the ball field took its toll on the Crusherz and they lost a close game, putting them in a must-win game the next day against Chilliwack.
Gibsons re-grouped and played a strong game, but lost 4-3, earning them a fifth place finish in the 16-team tournament.
"The girls had a great season and they should be proud of their accomplishments this year," said Ewert.
"This was the first time for them at the provincials. It's remarkable how well the team played - they've come a long way this year and to play so well is great to see," added Gillard.
Whalen said the success of all four teams is a huge testament to all the players, coaches and parents.
"It's incredible to have all four teams from a small community like this at the provincials," said Whalen. "There are a lot of talented and dedicated ball players here in Gibsons and I think we showed the rest of the province just how much talent we have here."
Championship rosters:
Midget Crusherz: Tanis Borley, Samantha Bowles, Andrea Davidson, Lauren Elson, Larissa Lind, Rebekah Lyons, Kasandra Mackenzie, Taylor Mennie, Kerrie Mulligan, Taylor Nemeth, Rebecca Owen, Taylor Preston, Emily Scherer and Tianna Storvold. Coaches: Mona Anderson and Michele Borley.
Bantam Thrasherz: Rebecca Rhodes, Sydney McAllister, Jessica Monk, Carlee Benner, Cora Taylor, Taylor Dignard, Braylyn Rhodes, Lauren Fallis, Ellen Fallis, Sydney Lambert, Maddy Jones, Sara Perry, Gillian Sanders and Hayley Schoor. Coaches: Sean Whalen, Garry Benner, Gordon Fallis; manager: Janine Pedneault.
Peewee Slammerz: Chloe Murphy, Nicole Kinne, Jill Matthews, Megan Olsen, Brandy Perry, Isabella Roeleveld, Angie Cantarutti, Mikayla Pockerant, Hailey Josephson, Grace Thorstensson, Alysha Monk and Kaleigh McAllister. Coaches: Mike Kinne and Charles Storvold; manager: Kirsten Storvold.
Squirt Crusherz: Carly Gillard, Leah Ewert, Hannah Smith, Jazzmin Taylor, Stephanie Kirkham, Teegan Boyd, Cheyenne Mawby, Charli Johnston, Gabby Gunn, Stephanie Slingerland, Taylor Whittall and Veronica Evans. Coaches: Cheryl Gillard and Laura Ewert; bat boy: Quinn Ewert.
