The Porter Creek Rams hit the hardwood in top gear on Friday.
The Rams took control early and never let go as they won the junior girls division of the YSAA Yukon Basketball Championships at Porter Creek Secondary.
On their home turf, the Rams were never in a trailing situation as they beat the F.H. Collins Warriors 41-30 in the final.
“F.H. played with heart, worked really hard and gave it everything,” said Rams coach Kasia Leary. “It made our girls do the same.”
Tournament MVP Hannah Milner was a big part of the Rams’ win, just as she’s a big part of basketball at Porter Creek.
Milner, who scored 19 points in the final, is also co-head coach for the school’s Grade 8 girls team. Milner also plays on the Rams’ senior team.
Still, she didn’t expect to be named tournament MVP.
“I was actually really surprised because I’ve been working with a lot of people on the team and I didn’t think I would get it,” said Milner.
“We played a hard game, tried really hard and we came together as a team in this final game,” she added.
Milner helped propel her team to a 24-12 lead in the second quarter with three baskets while assisting two others.
“She doesn’t take anything lightly and she never gives up, so when she goes, she gives 110 per cent,” said Leary. “She doesn’t know how to give any less than that.”
The Rams went into half time with a 26-14 lead, but the Warriors had more gas in the tank. F.H. Collins pulled to within five points in the fourth quarter after instigating a full-court press. Warriors All-Star Jacy Sam sunk a free-throw to make it 33-28.
“We were just trying to close the gap there,” said Warriors head coach Tyler Bradford. “We never did catch up, but we were trying our best to get there.”
Rams Teah Dickson had seven points in the final and teammate Ellen Thompson had nine.
“I think it’s been an excellent season for the girls,” said Rams coach Nicole Cross. “They’ve worked really hard, built on their skills and today, versus F.H. (Collins) it was a really tight game and it was good play - all the girls should be proud.”
Warriors All-Stars Sam and Karyin Qiu contributed nine and eight points, respectively, to the cause.
“I’m really proud of them. They played with a lot of heart and tenacity today,” said Bradford of his team. “They did a strong job defensively.”
In the battle for bronze, the Vanier Crusaders defeated Carmacks’ Tantalus School 50-24.
All-Stars
Justine Billy (Tantalus)
Kelly Mahoney (Vanier)
Karyin Qiu (F.H. Collins)
Jacy Sam (F.H. Collins)
Delaney Paul (Porter Creek)
MVP
Hannah Milner (Porter Creek)
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com