Okanagan gets the W over Best

Dec. 7, 2023

Okanagan Mission v. Charles Best

Okanagan Mission has brought both a girls’ team and a boys’ team to the 2023 No Regrets Tournament. Charles best has brought some kick-ass medical credentials.

At age 16 Charles Best went to the University of Toronto and played professional basketball to finance his education. At age 22 he co-discovered insulin and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine at age 23. By age 28 he was a  university professor. Now just let that sink in for a bit before we get to the game…

The Best team is a tallish bunch. They have a size advantage over the Missions folks. But in a game where size matters, it is not always determinative. The OKM guards are scrappy. This will be a good game!

OKM’s Shae Sandhu gave us an impossible lefty layup prayer that hit and attracted  “and 1”. Then she gave us a step-back 3. Those yellow shoes are working for her. OKM led 15-4 with 3 1/2 left in Q1. A buzzer beater 3 was put up for OKM. It did not beat the buzzer although it did drain. Nicely done.

End of Q1: OKM 21, Best 4.

OKM’s Jada Burden started the scoring in Q2 with a three; then one by Payton Friesen; then another by Friesen followed by one for Carsen Carter and another by Faith Hunter. Make no mistake these girls can shoot and we all know what that leads to.

Whether it's under the basket or at the far arc, OKM is dominating in this game.  In the last minute of Q2 Bianka Mazan drained a three to get them to 14.

Meanwhile, OKM gets tenacious rebounding from Madison Day.

Q2: 38-14 for OKM

Half-time profile: Best #20, Malaya Barroso is their point guard and in grade 10. She is an excellent ball handler and a smart player beyond her years. She leads the team. And look out for her younger sister who is on her way too.

Halftime question: what % of girls in the tournament have ponytails?

In Q3 we saw Best’s Jessica Parkinson awarded an “and 1” while Friesen for OKM drains a corner 3. OKM’s ball movement is good in finding the open outside shooter or a drive when a seam opens up. OKM is well-organized as a team and well-led by Barroso.

Interceptions, especially by OKM Jada Burden became the theme. Yet Best actually won the second half.

Jessica Parkinson for Best warmed up both under the basket and at the arc while Avin Jahangiri scored on a put-back from a missed three.

In fact, Best won the 28-27.

Final score OKM 65-42

Player of the Game: OKM’s Maya Andruchow with a team high 12 pts.

High scorer for Best was Jessica Parkinson with 16 pts.s: