The Elphinstone Cougars rebounded from an overtime loss to the Chatelech Eagles to beat the Balmoral Barons 35-28 in the championship final of the six-team bantam girls' tournament at Elphinstone last Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars started slowly in the final, trailing by eight points midway through the first quarter, but Sophie Garmulewicz rallied the Cougars with tenacious defence and rebounding, and by halftime the Cougars had closed the gap to two points.
Lauren Sanders sparked the team to its first lead, 24-23 at three-quarter time, and then the Cougars went on an 8-0 run to begin the final quarter, on baskets by Lauren, Clare Lyle, Anya Kuling and Jaime Howden.
Playing the championship game without two point guards, Megan Olsen and Angie Cantarutti (injury) and a forward Marissa Fyles, Elphi got a key contribution from left-hander Sarah Huddlestone, who switched between forward and point guard and played strongly at both ends of the court.
Brandy Perry topped the scoring with nine points, followed by Clare Lyle and Lauren with six apiece. Jaime and Anya had four each, and Sara Grunerud and Sophie also scored baskets. Sierra Bharmal scored 16 points for Balmoral against three different defenders.
In a tournament filled with upsets and close games, Sen-tinel Spartans took third, followed by Ocean-view Orcas of Powell River, Pen-der Harbour Sakinaws and Chat.
Despite finishing sixth, the Eagles played outstanding basketball, losing two tight games to Pender Harbour, battling the favoured Spartans for most of the game before losing by 10, and then upsetting Elphi 40-38 in a thrilling overtime game.
Eagles' coaches Cody Slevin, Tim Struck and Bev Melville have revitalized the Chat bantam girls' program after last year's team had dwindled to just five players for the same Elphi tournament.
After Elphi missed two potential game-winning free throws with eight seconds left in regulation, Chat ran off five straight points in overtime before the Cougars rallied with three points in the final minute. Avery Struck led the Chat scoring with 12 points, while Sara Christmas counted the same total for Elphi.
In an even closer game, Balmoral reached the final as Sierra Bharmal's single free throw with six seconds left in the game gave them a one-point victory over Pender Harbour. The Sakinaws, whose roster includes some Grade 7 players, had tied the game with two baskets in the last minute.
Earl Antilla, who also coaches at Madeira Park Elementary School, is working wonders with a limited number of eligible players. His top players - Solveig van Wersch, Mackenzie Stewart and Alex Christian - have played together for years, and it shows, but others are making big contributions as well.
The tournament concluded a successful season for Elphi who finished 16-6.
"This is definitely one of the most enjoyable coaching experiences I've ever had," said Elphi coach Vern Giesbrecht. "Yes, I had some talented players, but I was even more impressed by their dedication, camaraderie and cheerful personalities. Win or lose, they supported each other and were gracious to their opponents. Their parents should be very proud of them."
