The Cowichan Secondary Thunderbirds battled hard just to reach the Island AAA senior girls basketball championships last weekend, and found themselves in some elite company when they got there.
The T-Birds fought off a challenge from Carihi, then won a wildcard game against Belmont to reach the Island tournament, where they were unable to keep their winning streak alive.
“Competition at Islands is a whole new level,” said Wendy Charles, who coached the team with Shawn Bates. “We were really pleased just to get there.”
The T-Birds lost 89-21 in the opening game against Oak Bay, the third-ranked AAA team in the province, then lost 62-52 to Alberni District.
“We came close in the second game against Alberni but were plagued by injuries and a short bench,” Charles said.
Emma Dewit led Cowichan with 20 points against Alberni.
Charles hopes to see the team continue the success from late this season.
“The girls see where we need to go from here,” she said. “Work in the offseason is going to be key. Many of the teams we saw at Islands play basketball all year round, and train hard to get to the level they are at. We have an awesome group of girls and hope to build on the base we have started and keep improving.”
Captain Mikaila Cardin and Maddie Mahon are the lone graduating seniors on the young and promising team. Mahon has been picked to play in the Island all-star game in April.