The W.A. Fraser Grade 8 girls basketball squad left no doubt as to who the best team in the Fraser Valley is.
The Falcons blasted Lord Tweedsmuir of Surrey 35-13 in the Fraser Valley championship game on Monday evening at MEI Middle School. It was truly a defensive masterpiece – Fraser limited their opponents to just seven points over the final three quarters combined.
For coaches Chris Harvey and Chuck Konrad, who have worked with this group of girls for three years, it was a proud moment.
"It was a tremendous effort by the entire team," enthused Harvey, whose squad has posted a spectacular 39-1 record this season. "The girls bought into defence early on in Grade 6. They understand it's an important part of the game, and they take a lot of pride in it."
Tournament MVP Jade Bird posted 14 points in the final, out-scoring Lord Tweedsmuir on her own, and fellow Falcons Hannah Konrad and Teagan Innes were named to the all-star team.
The victory sealed the Fraser girls' first-ever regional title. They move on to the provincial Grade 8 invitational tourney, March 8-10 in Maple Ridge.
The Falcons Grade 8 boys hoopsters also earned a Fraser Valley medal. They bounced back from a heartbreaking 51-49 overtime loss to Walnut Grove in the semifinals to beat the Clayburn Cougars 62-49 in the bronze medal game.
Riley Braich paced the Falcons with 23 points, while Ben Brar notched 10. Matt Kerc-Murchison was selected as a tournament all-star.
The Falcons boys advance to provincials at Pitt Meadows March 8-10.