ThrillersendsSDSS backtoprovincials

MARK BOOTH

mbooth@delta-optimist com

After a big sigh of relief, the South Delta Sun Devils senior girls basketball team is heading back to the B C AAAA Championships for the second straight year

The Sun Devils will be part of the 16-team showcase event, March 1 to 4 at the Langley Events Centre, thanks to their second place finish at the South Fraser AAAA Championships after falling 104-65 to host Seaquam in Friday’s title game

While the No. 6 ranked and league champion Seahawks cruised to an 82-24 semi-final victory over Panorama Ridge two nights earlier, No. 10 South Delta had its hands full to say the least with the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers.

The Sun Devils rallied from a late deficit to pull out an 86-83 victory

South Delta cruised to a 27-point win over Tweedsmuir in league play last month, but the Cloverdale school has made significant strides down the stretch and earned honourable mention status in the latest provincial rankings.

A driving lay-up and free throw from Grade 11 standout Kaija Rutledge tied the game at 82-82 with a minute remaining.

Grade 10 Kyra Millette then hit a clutch baseline jumper to put her team in front for good, while senior Katrina Staley drained a couple of clutch three throws after a hard foul in the dying seconds to seal the win

The Devils seemed to be in control after a late second quarter spurt opened up a 10-point halftime lead, however, the pesky Panthers never went away and clawed back within six (65-59) after three quarters

Their momentum continued in the fourth as they pulled ahead 77-75 with 3:52 remaining The lead increased to 80-76 with 2:20 left on the clock when South Delta finished the game on a 10-3 run

Rutledge led the way with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Senior Kira Denney added 22 points and seven boards before fouling out late in the fourth quarter Staley had 10 points, Emma Turner nine, while Rachel Rosser and Millette each chipped in with seven

The Sun Devils have a week to prepare for the provincials. Head coach Sharon Butler is hoping to use the time for some quality practices and have her full roster available

“I do think our best basketball is still to come this season, ” she added “I am excited to get in the gym with the girls next week and reset for the provincials We need to commit to tough individual and team defence, quick ball movement, hard cuts and more urgency and intensity in our play”