Morning Star Staff
The VSS Panthers warmed up for their annual PIT Classic by winning three games in the NorKam Saints senior girls basketball tournament last weekend.
The Panthers open their home tourney Friday at 2 p.m. against NorKam.
“We have a round-robin format this year since we have lost some teams,” said VSS head coach Lonny Mazurak.
The Cats opened the NorKam tourney by bouncing the Mt. Boucherie Bears of West Kelowna 64-48.
Brianna Falk pumped in 15 points, while Mackenzie Horst and Megan Rouault each pocketed 14.
“Mt. Boucherie was a challenging first game as they had size and athleticism but we stayed composed in the fourth quarter to get the win,” said Mazurak.
The Cats stopped Nor-Kam 79-43 in the semifinals behind 28 points from Horst, 21 from Rouault and 11 from Kelsey Falk.
VSS led from start to finish in a dominating performance.
Rouault rang up 21 points as VSS brushed back the Okanagan Mission Huskies of Kelowna 72-68 in Saturday’s final.
Brianna Falk canned 18 points, while Kelsey Falk sank 11.
“It was a great game with many lead changes,” said Mazurak. “Kelsey Falk was great defensively against their provincial-team player and we made the big shot when we needed.”
Rouault was named tournament MVP, while Horst was a first-team all-star.
“It was a great weekend for the girls to work on a lot of the simple things that need to be done consistently.”
The Fulton Maroons take on the Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops Friday at 3:45 p.m., while the Pen Hi Lakers battle the Westsyde Whundas of Kamloops at 5:30 p.m.
The Panthers go up against Westsyde at 11:15 a.m. and meet the Lakers at 6:15 p.m. in Saturday games. Fulton squares off against Nor/Kam at 9:30 a.m. and Westsyde at 2:45 Saturday.