The senior girls basketball team at Highland Secondary finished third at the double-A Island championships on the weekend in Shawnigan Lake, just missing a provincial berth.
The Raiders kicked off the tourney Thursday with a win over Glenlyon Norfolk. The Victoria team jumped out to a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter due to “some lights out shooting,” Raiders assistant coach Andrew Duncan said. But Highland battled back with a huge second quarter, outscoring Glenlyon 23-8, led by Abby Duncan’s 17 points.
Highland went on to win 61-54. Duncan finished with 27 points, Emma Warren scored 16, Cheyanne Rice had 15, and Emily Edwards three.
Highland was in tough Friday against Pacific Christian of Victoria.
“Pacific Christian showed their pedigree form start to finish by dominating the game and defeating Highland,” Duncan said.
Though outmatched, the Raiders battled to the end. Duncan scored 21 points, Warren had 11, Rice potted nine, Edwards had two, and Bianca Moffit and Innes Bossen each scored one point.
Saturday against Ladysmith, Highland started strong and led from start to finish with an impressive 59-30 victory over their North Island rival. Every Raider hit the scoresheet. Duncan again led the charge with 19 points, Warren had 17, Rice had 12, Moffit and Bossen each scored four points, Danika Dougan had two and Edwards had one point.
The win put Highland into Saturday’s third- and fourth-place match against the host school — a rematch of the North Island final where Shawnigan was victorious.
“Highland was very keen to come out and avenge this loss,” Duncan said.
The game was competitive with multiple momentum swings. Highland led by 12 points heading into the fourth quarter. Shawnigan charged hard but the Raiders prevailed 74-72.
Abby Duncan — who was named a tournament all-star — scored 24 points against Shawnigan. Warren scored 19 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter. Rice had 19 low post points, Edwards and Moffit had four each, and Dougan and Bossen chipped in with two each.
The top two Island teams qualify for provincials. Highland, comprising Grade 10 and 11 students, will return intact next year and hope to push for a provincial berth.