Sports
February fever leads to March madness
By Don Fennell
Published 2:56 PST, Mon February 4, 2019
Playoff time is here.
Starting today (Monday, Feb. 4), Richmond
high school hoops steps up to another level with city championships on the
line.
For those teams fortunate to extend their
seasons, the ultimate goal is to go from February fever to March madness thus
earning a shot at a provincial championship.
The McMath Wildcats senior girls’ basketball
team will draw plenty of interest after capping their regular-season schedule
with a 79-59 victory over North Surrey on Seniors Night Friday at the Richmond
Olympic Oval. The victory was the Wildcats’ 15th in a row.
In front of a strong and supportive fan base,
the Wildcats took time out to honour their five graduating players—Jayna
Wilson, Morgan Flynn, Bella Lawson, Jazzy Tufnail and Leah Hillman. All these
players started the game and staked McMath to an early 20-11 lead. They also
all hit the scoresheet, with Wilson leading the way with a team-high 22 points
while going six-for-11 from three-point range.
McMath, which went 10-0 in league play, opens
the playoff round Monday with a 4:15 p.m. showdown with the Matthew McNair
Marlins at R.C. Palmer Secondary. The winner will advance to the city
semifinals, with game time being 6 p.m. Tuesday (also at Palmer). The finals
are set for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at JN Burnett Secondary.
Based on the season results, McMath should be
favoured to make the finals against either Steveston-London Sharks of Hugh Boyd
Trojans. Both teams offered tough tests to their Richmond rival.
A first- or second-place finish among
Richmond AAA teams will put McMath into the Lower Mainland championship Crehan
Cup tournament scheduled to tip-off Saturday, Feb. 9 at Argyle Secondary in
North Vancouver. The tournament wraps up Feb. 16 at Vancouver’s Lord Byng
Secondary.
SENIOR BOYS
AR MacNeill Ravens soared to their second
straight Richmond’s senior boys’ regular-season pennant; like the 2017-18
season, with a 10-0 record. Richmond Colts were a close second with a 9-1
record, while McMath went 8-2.
The Richmond playoffs will be held the week
of Feb. 12 to 16 at Steveston-London Secondary.
JUNIOR BOYS
The McMath Wildcats bring a 10-0 record into
this week’s city playoffs which begin Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 5) at HJ Cambie
Secondary. Coming off 9-1 and 8-2 league records respectively, MacNeill and
Steveston London will also be formidable as will the 7-3 Burnett Breakers.
Three teams will earn berths in the Vancouver and District playdowns.
JUVENILE GIRLS
Hugh Boyd Trojans (9-0) and McMath Wildcats
(8-1) lead the pack into this week’s city playoffs which begin today (Monday)
at Hugh Boyd Secondary. Palmer Griffins (7-2) and McRoberts Strikers (6-3) also
look to make noise, with the two finalists Wednesday (game time is 5 pm)
advancing to the Vancouver and District playdowns.
JUVENILE BOYS
Richmond Colts take a perfect 8-0 league
record into this week’s city championships to be played on their home court
though Thursday (Feb.7). Three teams are vying for berths in the Vancouver and
District playdowns, with McMath and MacNeill (both 6-2 during the regular
season) likely to join the Colts.
BANTAM GIRLS
Burnett, MacNeill and McNair all earned
tickets to the Vancouver and District championships following final-game
victories last Thursday during the city championships at McNair Secondary.
Burnett outscored Steveston-London 47-36 while MacNeill (regular-season
champions with an 8-0 mark) topped McNair (second at 8-1) 47-38.
BANTAM BOYS
Richmond Colts, Burnett and MacNeill all
booked their spots in the Vancouver and District championships with final-game
wins last Friday at the city championships played at MacNeill Secondary.
Regular-season champion Richmond (9-1) continued their winning ways by getting
past Burnett 61-33, while MacNeill (second during the season at 8-2) edged
surging Cambie (fourth during the season at 6-4) 52-50.