Morning Star Staff
A total of 10 girls basketball teams will play for keeps in the Seaton Sonics 27th Street Invitational Jan. 27-28.
The senior Sonics, coached by Shelley Henry, will be challenged by the Kalamalka Lakers, George Elliot Coyotes of Lake Country and the Pleasant Valley Saints of Armstrong. Seaton takes on Kal in their Friday opener at 1:30 p.m.
There are six teams on the junior girls side with Seaton, coached by Matt and Ed Folk, joined by PVSS, Charles Bloom Timberwolves of Lumby, Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops, Summerland Rockets and Valleyview Vikings of Kamloops.
In senior AA girls league play, the VSS Panthers grounded Seaton 87-24 Wednesday night at the Panther Pit.
Mackenzie Horst drained 25 points for VSS, while Kelsey Falk, Brianna Falk and Megan Rouault each canned 14.
“The girls did a great job sharing the ball and being patient on offence,” said Cats’ head coach Lonny Mazurak.
Meanwhile, the junior girl Panthers lost three games in their home tournament last weekend.
The Cats opened with a 44-22 loss to Kelowna Christian School with game star Sarah Crerar supplying 10 points for VSS. Defensive player of the game for VSS was Megan Claeys, who played tough man-to-man defence.
VSS then lost 45-39 to Okanagan Mission Huskies, who are a provincial honorable mention.
Savanah DeWitt was the game star and Levi Knopf earned defensive player of the game. Ashley Budgen played excellent in the post and Jesse Harman paced the Panthers with 10 points.
VSS finished by falling 43-31 to the Summerland Rockets.
“We had as many players sitting on the bench injured as we had players.” said VSS head coach Mike Bertram. “The rest of the team really stepped up in the absence of three starters who were out. Savanah DeWitt led the scoring with 10 points. Gabbi Boyd was the defensive game star for her excellent blocking out and Kaylee Goodrich was the game star for moving to point guard, with our two point guards out, and running the offence well.
Overall the girls are improving on the little things that will help them in the Valley championships.”