Cinderella season for Junior Bombers
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
At the beginning of the season LVR coach Val Gibson wondered if the Bombers would ever win a game.
The squad did more than just snap out of a losing streak.
LVR completed the Cinderella run by defeating Grand Forks Wolves 31-23 in the final to claim the West Kootenay Junior Girl’s Basketball Championship last week at the J. Lloyd Crowe gym in Trail.
“It was an incredible high to end the season,” said Gibson after the surprising victory.
LVR entered the tournament ranked third. And it didn’t look good for the Bombers playing the top-ranked Wolves.
But Gibson employed a zone press picked up from former coach Lorne Wuori that totally frustrated the Wolves, allowing LVR to build a 23-7 first half lead.
“Defence always wins games,” Gibson exclaimed.
“The Wolves fought their way back in again the Bomber’s more inexperienced players, but the LVR team would not give up,” Gibson added.
The Big Three for LVR, Devyn Parker, Jayden Roch and Lynnea Carr led the way with eight and six points, respectively.
Kyley Mirva added five for LVR.
LVR opened the tournament by stopping Stanley Humphries Rockers 42-19. Roch scored 12 points to pace LVR while Mirva and Carr each had 10.
The win advanced the Bombers to the semi final where LVR held off a pesky Rossland Royals team to win 38-31.
The teams combined for 40 fouls in the tough, hard-fought game. Carr had a breakout game with 16 points while Parker had nine.
OVERTIME: The Big Three, Devyn Parker, Jayden Roch and Lynnea Carr, were busy last week. Not only did the trio pace LVR to the Junior title, but the three players also traveled to Grand Forks Friday to help the Senior Bombers at the Kootenay High School AA Girl’s Zone Basketball Tournament. Parker, Roch and Carr were all in the lineup for LVR against Prince Charles Comets, helping the Bombers to an easy victory.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
