The Maple Ridge Ramblers are the No.5 ranked senior girls’ basketball team in the province thanks in no small part to the efforts of six-foot-three forward Kolbie Orum.
The Ramblers' leading scorer averages close to 25 points per game and more than 10 rebounds.
Not surprisingly, she’s attracted a lot of attention from NCAA Division 1 schools eager to offer her a full-ride scholarship.
“She’s a very talented player and she’s got lots of opportunities,” says Ramblers head coach Don Herman.
Orum has been contacted by 50 schools despite having just started Grade 11, with Oregon State and Gonzaga universities among the top-notch programs that have come knocking.
“They are really putting on the full-court press to sign her,” said Herman.
Seniors Lauren Lamont, Coral Lee Antaya, and Haeley Williams provide the team’s secondary scoring, something that will be key as AAA league play gets into full swing this month.
The Ramblers have spent the entire season 2011/12 high school basketball season ranked among the Top 10 in B.C.
The Ramblers saw their stock rise thanks to seven-game win streak earlier this month.
Orum was again in top form at Centennial secondary’s Top Ten tournament last weekend, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the Ramblers’ 62-60 overtime win over Claremont secondary to open the tournament on Thursday.
Antaya also had a strong performance, with 12 points and nine rebounds.
“She had an awesome weekend,” said Herman of his five-foot-eight guard. “Secondary scoring and not turning the ball over are the biggest keys to our success, and the whole team played very well.”
The Ramblers fell to No. 4-ranked Brookswood secondary, one of the hottest teams in the province in their second game of the tournament on Thursday, losing 81-67 after getting into foul trouble.
Three Ramblers players fouled out, while Orum had four fouls against her.
“We were down six points at the half, but we let the game get away from us,” Herman said.
The Ramblers followed up with 60-51 win over the New Westminster Hyacks on Friday. Orum had 25 points in that game, as well as 15 rebounds.
“Not bad for being double-teamed the entire game,” said Herman.
Antaya had 11 points, and drained a pair of crucial three-pointers late in the game to help seal the win for the Ramblers.
The Ramblers then faced No. 8-ranked Argyle secondary to close out the tournament on Saturday, winning 59-49. Orum had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Antaya had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“For a five-foot-six guard to get 10 rebounds, that’s pretty good,” said Herman. “She was our player of the game.”
Despite going 3-1 at the tournament, the Ramblers finished fifth, while Brookswood went on to win the tournament, beating Riverside secondary in the final.
Orum was named to the tournament’s first all-star team.
The Ramblers return to league play this week and host Terry Fox secondary Thursday night.
The Ramblers are currently 3-1 in league play.
“We’re hoping to finish in the top 4 in the Fraser Valley league and make it to the Fraser Valley championships,” said Herman. “After that, hopefully provincials, but it won’t be easy.”