The KVR Express Grade 8 girls basketball team capped its season with a 35-32 win over Whistler at provincials in Pitt Meadows.
The victory helped the Express finish ninth with Olivia DeVito leading offensively with nine points and adding four steals. Jennifer Hayman added eight points, with nine rebounds and was named player of the game, while Kalli Doell and Liev Elder chipped in six and five points, respectively.
“It was a fabulous end. We struggled against a very good Whistler team early getting down by 11 points in the first quarter, but we chipped away and kept within reach,” said Express coach Chris Terris.
In the second half, the Express forced Whistler to turn the ball over resulting in some easy scores. They got their first lead when DeVito hit a three-point shot with 1:35 remaining. The Express also got clutch scoring from Elder.
“The girls had a great season,” said Terris. “We would have loved a do-over in our first game (43-29 loss to Clayburn), but as coaches, we were very proud of how they bounced back to win their last three games of the tournament.
“This team is right there among the best in the province,” continued Terris, adding that Walnut Grove, who they lost to earlier in the season, won the final by 27 points.
In the opening tournament loss, Kayley Davies led the Express with seven points and five steals. In a 45-21 win over Vancouver’s Lord Byng, Hayman collected 10 points and was named player of the game, while Doell, DeVito, Mckenna Clarke and Tegan Elder each scored six points.
Against Vernon, the Express won 33-14. Emma Terris led with eight points, while Davies had three steals and Hayman grabbed three rebounds.