At two different high school gyms Tuesday night, one South Surrey basketball team kept its streak of provincial championship appearances alive, while another lost, leaving its provincial run hanging by a thread.
On Vancouver Island, the Elgin Park Orcas overcame a long travel day to edge the Oak Bay Bays 68-53 in a senior girls Fraser Valley wild-card game, earning them a spot at B.C. senior girls championships – scheduled to begin Wednesday at Capilano University – for a sixth consecutive season.
“(The travel) affected us early – we looked tired, and couldn’t hit a shot to save our life in the first half,” said Elgin Park coach Stu Graham.
“But we really played hard in the second half, played good defence, and managed to pull it out.”
Meanwhile, in Langley, the White Rock Christian Academy Warriors lost 65-46 to the Walnut Grove Gators in a Fraser Valley tilt. The loss meant the Warriors had to win Thursday evening against the Fleetwood Park Dragons to qualify for the B.C. championships, as they have every year for more than a decade.
The game was played after press deadline.
“It’s the proverbial do-or-die game,” said WRCA coach John Dykstra.
“Win, and we get to go back to provincials. Lose and the season’s over early.”
In the previous five seasons, Elgin Park has advanced to provincials with ease, finishing high in the Fraser Valley each year en route to the tournament.
This year, however, has been different. By virtue of an unexpected loss to Panorama Ridge during the southwest zone tournament, and a loss to W.J. Mouat midway through the Fraser Valleys, Elgin had a tough path to B.C.s, which involved three straight wins to end the Valleys, plus Tuesday’s road win against Oak Bay.
“We were in a tight spot, basically needing to win the rest of our games, but we did it,” said Graham. “It’s been a tough road, but it’s a character-builder, and the girls are awfully proud of themselves.”
Sandy Hsu had 26 points against Oak Bay – 24 in the second half – Stacey Graham added 20 and Madeline Spangehl had 13.
Leading just 22-21 at halftime, the Orcas outscored Oak Bay 46-32 in the second half.
Elgin now advances to provincials as the tenth seed. They play Wednesday against the Handsworth Royals.
In the boys’ draw, Dykstra said he was unsure what to expect from his charges in Thursday’s tilt, but hoped the loss to Walnut Grove was a wake-up call.
“We played timid, we played scared, and they dominated us in every facet of the game,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect, but I know they’re disappointed and know they’re hungry.”
And as for that streak of provincial appearances, Dykstra said he had no desire to see it snapped.
“Not on my watch,” he said.