The single-A girls Island basketball championships started and finished for the Duncan Christian School Chargers with overtime games against Maaqtusiis.
The Chargers edged Maaqtusiis 57-56 in their quarter-final showdown on Friday afternoon, but were edged 62-59 when the teams met again for the bronze medal on Saturday.
“We were reminded of the need to work together as we faced Maaqtusiis twice,” DCS head coach Michelle Nederlof said. “Not only do they bring a physical force to the court, but they bring a stand full of fans as well. Our girls were not to be intimidated by this.”
Zoe Wall put up 20 points and 13 rebounds in the quarter-final to and shared Player of the Game honours with Jaymie Brandsma, who sank three three-pointers for nine points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Kristine Williams added 15 points and 16 boards, Candice Bennett had seven points — all in the fourth quarter — and Morgan Nederlof contributed two points and eight assists.
On Friday night, DCS lost 57-26 to Glenlyon Norfolk in the semifinals. Brandsma hit five threes as part of a 17-point outing and grabbed nine rebounds, Williams had six points and nine rebounds, and Player of the Game Nederlof added four assists.
In the rematch with Maaqtusiis for bronze, Williams was named Player of the Game for her 13-point, 22-rebound performance. Mollie Corbett added 12 points, Wall had nine points and 14 rebounds, Brandsma had eight points, 17 boards and six assists, Bennett had eight points, and Nederlof put up seven points and five assists.
Brandsma was named a tournament all-star, and the Chargers were named the Most Sportsmanlike Team.
“Basketball games can get dirty, and it takes a certain type of team to not back down and to stay clean,” coach Nederlof said. “That’s what we’ve got in these girls, which is one of the reasons we were chosen as the most sportsmanlike team. It is also a good reflection of character, which in the end is probably the most valuable of lessons learned.
“We are excited for the future of this young team. We’ve started something great here and look forward to being one year stronger when we face these teams in 2020.”