Seven hard working Comox Valley basketball girls from Isfeld Secondary combined with two ‘dual-citizens’ from the USA and a guest friend from Qualicum Beach to form a highly competitive squad of 10 girls at the annual Western Washington University girls summer basketball camp in Bellingham, Wash., July 10-14.
Staying in university dorms on campus throughout the week, the girls got a taste of university life as well as tremendous basketball competition. The Canadian girls and coaches proved they were the best dancers and singers amongst the 160 b-ball campers, noted assistant coach Hugh MacKinnon.
The girls finished round robin and tournament play with a .500 record and upset eventual tournament champion Alaska in the round-robin. Coach Grant Ashlee was particularly pleased with the toughness and determination showed by all players in some very physical games.
Grade 9s Jenna Haaf and Sophie Reimer showed tremendous promise with tenacity and determination playing tough defence and scoring key baskets and foul shots. Jenna made it to the quarter-finals in the 3-on-3 tournament.
MacKenzie and Hanna Kirk demonstrated tremendous improvement on defence and toughness shutting down some bigger American opponents while continuing to score big baskets. Camille Bourget overcame an ankle injury and checked some large-bodied, skilled opposition into submission and was selected one of the Top Canadians of the Day.
Danielle VanBergen scored many key baskets throughout the games and was selected Top Canadian of another day but assistant coach MacKinnon was busy dispensing a team ice-cream emergency and forgot to pass on the prestigious Canada hat to her. "Well done, Danielle!" he said.
Michaela Ashlee checked the best point guards throughout the tournament and won the tournament foul shooting contest in front of a packed gym on the final day. Guest player from Qualicum Beach, Michaela Witte, won the camp’s spirit award, displaying sportsmanship and team spirit throughout.