Vernon’s Kelsey Falk was a beast on the boards on the weekend.
The Vernon Panthers grad helped the UBC Okanagan Heat split a U-Sports Canada West women’s basketball doubleheader in Victoria against the Vikes with her rebounding prowess.
Falk had 10 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass, and added 13 points to help the Heat win the opener, 73-59, Friday. The Vikes took Game 2 Saturday, 76-63, with Falk leading the Heat with 11 boards, including eight on the offensive end. She chipped in four points for UBCO.
In men’s action, the second-ranked nationally Victoria Vikes swept UBC Okanagan, 101-76 Saturday, and 115-65 Friday.
Former Vernon Panther Leon Schenker had two defensive rebounds in each game for the Heat, and chipped in one assist in Friday’s loss.
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS
The 24th rendition of the Fulton Maroons Corporate Classic Senior Boys Invitational tips off Thursday afternoon, Jan. 11, with the host Maroons, a AA school, taking on the AAA Sa-Hali Sabres of Kamloops in the opener at 3:30 p.m. in the Fulton gym.
That will be followed by the AAA Vernon Panthers facing the single A Aberdeen Hall Gryphons of Kelowna at 5 p.m.
The defending champion Westsyde Whundas of Kamloops (AA), who iced the Sabres in the 2023 final, will begin defence of their title at 6:30 p.m. against city rivals South Kamloops Titans (AAA). And in the final opening day match, the Nechako Valley Vikings of Vanderhoof will take on the Summerland Rockets at 8 p.m. Both teams are in the AA ranks.
Fulton will play Friday against Nechako Valley at 1:30 p.m., and against Summerland at 7:30 p.m., while VSS will meet South Kam Friday at 10:30 a.m., and Westsyde at 4:30 p.m.
The tournament’s championship game is slated for Saturday, Jan. 13, at 2:15 p.m.
The Gryphons and Whundas are both ranked No. 4 in the latest B.C. high school rankings for their respective divisions. Summerland is ranked No. 9. South Kamloops was given an honourable mention.
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