The Maple Ridge Ramblers had only one girl on their bench when they went up against some of the toughest triple A basketball squads in the province at the Lambrick Park Tournament in Victoria over the weekend.
Don Herman's squad was critically short staffed, but his six players still managed to win two out of three games and secure a fifth-place finish.
The Rams opened the tournament against Oak Bay (Victoria), a team that entered the event tied with Brookswood (Langley) for the second ranking in B.C. The Ramblers lost the game 72-50, while the Bays went on to beat the Bobcats in the tournament championship.
Ridge star Kolbie Orum had her best offensive output of the tournament, with 38 points and 17 rebounds.
"It was a tough day for us," said Herman.
Next up was Riverside, the sixth-ranked team in B.C., and the Ramblers salvaged their standing as one of the province's elite by winning a double-overtime drama 74-73.
With the Coquitlam squad double teaming Orum, the Ramblers inbounded the ball to guard Shara Marchand, and she knocked down a trey with six seconds left in the second O.T.
Orum had a triple double: 33 points, 22 rebounds, 10 blocks and six steals, despite being double teamed most of the game.
"Most teams are running all kinds of things at her," said Herman.
Grade 10 post player Jane Grisley had an impact game, with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Victoria's Claremont Spartans were a 63-48 win for the Ramblers.
Orum had 37 points, 21 rebounds and three blocks. Kirby Marchand had 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Orum led with 37 points, 21 boards and three blocks.
The Ramblers will take part in the Riverside tournament this weekend, but will be without their star player. Orum will be taking part in an identification camp for the national junior team in Toronto.