Maple Ridge Christian School has won its first ever senior boys basketball championship, and now enters the small schools provincial championships (Single A) with high hopes.
The Hornets beat the Carver Christian Phoenix 86-44, to take the GVISAA (Greater Vancouver Independent Schools Athletic Association) title.
Grade 11 Jordan Ellingson was selected as a GVISAA league all-star.
On Saturday night, with a berth in the Single A provincials on the line, they beat the Credo Christian Kodiaks at the Fraser Valley Championships at Abbotsford Christian. The Hornets hadn’t beaten the Kodiaks for four years, prior to a 64-60 victory on Jan. 30.
The Hornets trailed the game 47-27 at half time. Coach Scott O’Dell told them to have fun, and play basketball. They worked hard, dominated the boards in the third quarter, and cut the deficit to 58-55.
In the fourth quarter, with their fans and alumni banging drums, blowing horns and chanting “de-fence,” they took the game.
Four of their eight players fouled out, and the Hornets battled Credo four on five for the final two minutes. In the last minute, shooting guard Brad Shearing nailed a three-pointer to put his team ahead. Grade 10 forward Zach Robb threw up a monster block in the dying seconds to preserve an 81-79 victory and a berth in the provincials.
They will open the provincial tournament on Wednesday against the 2013 champion Immaculata Mustangs of Kelowna. The provincials take place March 5-8 at Trinity Western University and the Langley Events Centre.