Already guaranteed the host berth in the provincial tournament, the Duncan Christian School Chargers earned bronze at the Island single-A senior girls basketball championships last weekend in addition to being named the Most Sportsmanlike Team.
Chargers head coach Michelle Nederlof was particularly proud to see her team’s sportsmanship recognized.
“Basketball is an aggressive game and often, in society, if girls are aggressive it is seen as negative,” she said. “I love that our girls have learned to be both aggressive and sportsmanlike. To be sportsmanlike, we don’t have to get walked over. Our girls know the line that separates aggressive and unsportsmanlike.”
The Chargers opened the tournament with a 94-24 win over a developing Ditidaht team. Danielle Groenendijk led the way with 20 points and 15 rebounds, Jenna Bakker had 10 points, Player of the Game Meaghan Russell had 10 points and seven steals, Morgan Nederlof had 10 points, six steals and six assists, Anna Corbett put up another 10 points, and Holly Bruce added eight points.
The Chargers then lost 78-62 to St. Andrew’s. Groenendijk was named Player of the Game for her 26-point, 25-rebound performance, and Bakker added 13 points.
“St. Andrew’s had the weekend of their lives,” Nederlof said. “They were the better team on Saturday and their efforts in both the semi and final proved that. It was unfortunate that we had to take that loss, but hats off to them.”
Groenendijk had a tournament-best 39 points and grabbed 32 rebounds as the Chargers beat Maaqtusiis 70-66 to clinch third place. Bakker added 10 points and 16 boards, Russell had six points and four assists, Zoey Alyward added five points, and Player of the Game Ebonie Elliott had four points.
“This was a tough game,” Nederlof said. “Maaqtusiis has improved greatly over the years and is developing a solid program. Every time we had a safe lead they would drop a couple of threes and then we would have to work our way back in. We were able to hold on until the time ran out.”
Groenendijk was named a first-team all-star, and Bakker was picked to the second team.
The Chargers will host the provincial championships in early March.
“I am very proud of the girls and especially the leadership of the Grade 12 students Holly Bruce, Danielle Groenendijk and Breanna Wikkerink,” Nederlof said. “They have been our rocks throughout the season on and off the court.”
DCS hosts the boys Island tournament this weekend.