The Pen High Lakers senior girls basketball team ended its season as the Okanagan Valley’s third best in AAA.
Lakers coach Lesley Lacroix said with only the No. 1 seed advancing to provincials, the bronze medal game, a 64-40 win over South Kamloops Titans was a letdown following an intense semifinal loss to the NorKam Saints, 61-50.
“I’d prefer not to play it at all as it follows a good competitive, meaningful game. Then you’re playing for really nothing,” said Lacroix. “Tough way for my Grade 12s to end their Pen High careers.”
Against the Titans, Natasha Reimer led with 19 points while piling up 28 boards. Haylee Robertson collected 18 points and 11 boards and Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu had 13 points to go with nine assists and seven steals.
The Lakers season ended when they lost to the Saints 61-50. The Lakers were unable to contain the Saints’ shooting, even after switching to a man-to-man.
“We fell behind early in the game with what was definitely our poorest shooting performance of the year,” said Lacroix, noting they shot 30 per cent from the field.
In the final game, Lacroix said the group played well and had fun as everyone received court time.
Reimer and Lannon-Paakspuu were named to the Valley all-star squad.
Over the season, Lacroix saw huge improvements in her players.
“I didn’t have huge expectations as we had lost such key players in our graduating kids from last year, but I was impressed with the performances of my grads this year and our 11s really brought their games up,” she said. “I’m excited for the future.”
The senior boys squad heads to Rutland for the AAAA Okanagan Valley championship.