The 2006 basketball season for elementary schools finished with a flurry of games last Tuesday and Wednesday at Elphinstone Secondary School.
Excellent officiating and even better play by the teams was evident in both the boys' and girls' tournaments over the two days.
On Tuesday, defending champs West Sechelt cruised through the round robin portion of the draw undefeated and matched up against a spunky Langdale side who were a very determined bunch. After a regulation game and then overtime failed to decide a winner, the teams were required to settle the issue with sudden death foul shots.
After six (very nervous) shooters, the final was decided by Laurenne Karmel from Langdale, when she stepped up to the line and calmly sank her basket, shattering the West Sechelt girls' hopes of a repeat. West Sechelt gained some solace however, when their B team defeated a game group from Halfmoon Bay 12-9 in the B flight final.
In the boys' finals on Thursday, Roberts Creek, along with last year's champs West Sechelt, gained byes into the semifinals by finishing first and second in the round robin. But both Gibsons and Halfmoon Bay proved to be very stubborn opponents for the two arch rivals. Gibsons gave the Creekers everything they could handle in their semi, losing a nailbiter 12-9, while Halfmoon Bay really turned up the heat, defeating West Sechelt to advance to the final. After jumping out to a quick eight-point lead in the first half, Halfmoon Bay clawed their way back to within a basket but couldn't get the equalizer, losing a heartbreaker by three.
Roberts Creek's solid play under both hoops was the difference as their tallest players were also very skilled under the baskets.
In the B flight final, Davis Bay, that suffered through a difficult time in the A flight, came down into the B flight to give Langdale everything they could handle, losing 14-12 in another classic finish. All in all, it was a super two days of tourney play. Thanks again to the Elphi referees and scorekeepers who were fabulous and to parents coaches and players.
