Disappointed not to be playing for gold, the Credo Christian Kodiaks made sure they returned from the provincial championships with the bronze medal.
“Our team was disappointed that they were not in the finals,” said coach Sharon Allison.
“Unfortunately, the draw dictated that.
“(But) we knew that we would have to play the game of our lives to beat Mulgrave in the bronze medal.”
And the Kodiaks delivered, wining 69-58 to place third at the B.C. senior girls 1A provincial basketball championships over the weekend at Duncan Christian School.
The Kodiaks trailed 53-48 after three quarters but clamped down defensively in the fourth, allowing just five points while scoring 21 for the 11-point win.
Credo Christian had lost 74-50 to the gold-medal winning Langley Christian Lightning in the semifinals. The Lighting beat Agassiz — a team the Kodiaks beat 62-48 last month at the Fraser Valley championships — in the gold medal game.
The Kodiaks offence was playing well all tournament, as they averaged more than 70 points per game in their three victories. Credo opened with a 76-53 win over Lake Districts and then won their quarter-final game 73-61 over Similkameen.
“The team played awesome; they played every game like it was their last,” Allison said.
The coach added that her players would need to display self-control and patience if they wanted success.
“I told them that their intense preparation and years of training (would) pay off if they were disciplined at all times on and off the court and it certainly did with the result being a bronze medal,” Allison said.
At the start of the season, Allison knew a medal at provincials was realistic.
“I had an experienced team that I have been coaching since Grade 8,” she explained.
“A strong work ethic was demonstrated by each player every time they were on the court. This led to our success during the season and at provincials.”
The Kodiaks have won the provincial title previously, but the third place finish is their top placing in recent years, Allison said.
Jaylene Stam — who led the Kodiaks in scoring with 22.5 points per game — was named a first team all-star. Hannah Allison was a second team selection for the Kodiaks.