Nail-biting finish

By Rudy Kelly

It was one for the ages.

In one of the most exciting finishes in years, the Okanagan girls literally stole the B.C. Junior All Native Basketball championship from defending champion KItamaat, winning 52-50, in a heart-stopper that people will be talking about for years to come.

After Okanagan had tied the game on two clutch free throws by Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg with 9.4 seconds remaining, Jasmine Montgomery-Reid stole the ball by intercepting the ensuing inbounds pass. She quickly fed it to Jade Sargent, who took a few steps and put up a lay-up that circled the rim several times before dropping in, causing Okanagan fans to erupt with surprised joy. With just 4.3 seconds left, Kitamaat was unable to get far enough up the court to realistically try a desperation shot.

“When Jade (Montgomery-Waardenburg) hit the two free throws, we were thinking overtime,” said Okanagan coach, Amanda Montgomery. “We certainly weren’t looking for the steal but, when we got it, wow! We’ve been to a double-overtime before but this is the most exciting game we’ve been in, that’s for sure.”

Okanagan had led just once prior to the winning points as defending champion Kitamaat started strong and led by 10, 34-24, at halftime and were up by six going into the fourth quarter. But Okanagan came alive in the last frame, taking their first lead of the game with just under five minutes left.

Kitamaat righted itself, though, and reclaimed the lead but a second straight title just wasn’t in the cards. Kitamaat coach Keith Nyce even tried the old freeze strategy, calling a time-out after Montgomery-Waardenburg was fouled, giving her more time to think about making her free throws but, to her credit, she didn’t get rattled.

“She’s one of a few girls on this time that has played at the high school provincials,” said her coach proudly. “So she’s used to it and able to handle intense pressure.”

As for Sargent, the diminutive hero who bucketed the winning points, all she do could is shake her head, smile, and say “It feels good. It feels really good.”

Sargent was top scorer for Okanagan in the game, with 15 points, followed by tourney MVP Montgomery-Waardenburg’s 13. Miranda Ross paced Kitamaat, with 21 points.

Montgomery-Reid was named Best Defensive player, while Gitwinksihlkw’s Mariah Tait was High Scorer and Brook Simpson, of Kitamaat, won the Sixth Woman award.

RUPERT BOYS ROMP

The boys final didn’t have anywhere near the drama of the girls final as the Prince Rupert Friendship House Tribesmen walked to a 71-60 victory over Skidegate to retain their title. The final score flattered Skidegate as Friendship House took their foot off the gas at the end to give their reserves playing time.

Charlie Leeson of Prince Rupert (in white) and Joel Richardson of Skidegate,
eye a loose ball in junior boys final action.

No one really challenged the local squad throughout the tournament, as their size and skill proved too much – although Skidegate coach Duane Alsop wouldn’t concede his team’s huge underdog role.

“I wouldn’t have looked at it as an upset (had we won),” said a defiant Alsop, who accused scoring officials of miscounting the fouls of the Tribesmen’s top player, Charlie Leeson. “He had four fouls but they only had him for three. We also just didn’t do a good job rebounding.”

Tribesmen coach Jerrett Faithful said it was a challenge keeping his squad motivated but that “we didn’t underestimate anybody. We used to be the hunter but now we’re the hunted so we know we’re going to get everyone’s best game.”

Shawn Reece led the Tribesmen with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Skidegate’s Cole Edinger potted 17.

Tribesman Adrian Robinson was named MVP, with teammates Reece getting Best Defensive player and Michael Ryan getting Sixth Man honors. High scorer was Michael White, of Bella Bella.

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