There are just 11 students in the graduation class at Maple Ridge Christian school, but their Hornets basketball team once again played for a provincial championship, for the third time in six years.
“We’re playing in single A, but we’re about a quarter A by population,” joked Hornets head coach Scott O’Dell.
His squad finished eighth at the B.C. High School Basketball Championships, which wrapped up on Saturday.
They started the tournamant on Wednesday against the Osoyoos Rattlers, and won 81-78.
The Hornets benefited from some balanced scoring, as Nic Samcheck led with 25 points, and both Jordan Ellingson and Justin Robinson had 22.
Forward Ellingson also had a monster game on the boards, finishing with 22 rebounds, including 15 offensive boards. He added five steals and six assists to his impressive stat line.
Samcheck also had double digit rebounds with 10.
In their second game, they faced the top-seeded Richmond Eagles, and lost 73-60. It was a tough loss, said O’Dell, because they had led the game 47-43 after three quarters. A win would have put them in the final four.
Robinson had 22 points, Ellingson 18 with 22 rebounds and Tyson Schofield had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
They lost to the Abbotsford Christian Knights 62-45, and then lost their final game against West Point Grey Academy 61-47.
O’Dell said his team had a bona fide shot at a championship this year, if they had played their best basketball. But after the deflating loss to the Eagles, it was hard for the boys to stay motivated.
Robinson, his point guard, and the forward Schofield are both in
Grade 11, and will lead a Hornets team that should have a shot at returning to the provincials again next season.
Kelowna Christian beat Immaculata 59-46 to win the provincial single A championship.