Breakers Hold on for a Hard Fought Win!

Oak Bay Breakers Sr. Girls v Kitsilano Blue Demons

December 13, 2024

(photo credit: Blair Shier)

Oak Bay Breakers, fresh off a grad formal last night, have arrived at Mulgrave in West Van ready to take on the Kitsilano Blue Demons. There are some intrigued student-athletes and coaches making their way into the gym, as Mulgrave awaits the winner of this game. With both teams having fresh legs for game 1, we are seeing a 3/4 quarter court press from the Breakers to begin this game. Early in this match up Kits has been able to counter the press, finding open gaps and earning themselves a 12-8 lead.

Kits enters the game with a height advantage, most evident with #15 Lily Stewart who is towering over her opponents and using that advantage to dominate the defensive end. That height doesn’t scare Oak Bay’s #8 Molly Andulajevic, who is more than willing to battle it out for a loose ball if it gives her team a chance at an extra bucket. Coming off that battle, she finds herself down low grabbing an O board and putting it back and earning herself the hoop and the harm. A high intensity fast-paced first quarter has the Blue Demons up 14-11.

#15 Stewart for Kits and #8 Andulajevic for the Breakers continue to be the heartbeat for each of their respective teams - responsible for leading the outbreak coming off the press, gobbling up rebounds and setting the tone with their fierce, gritty tenacity. #9 for the Breakers, Henderson, is looking to make her mark as she knocks down the smooth looking mid-range jumper, pulling her team back to within 4. Although the Breakers may be disadvantaged from a height perspective, they are applying full court pressure and extending that all the way back as they defend against the Blue Demons half court sets. #5 for the Breakers, Jackson, has been a spark plug off the bench as she seems to be all over the court - most recently leading to a backcourt 10 second violation coming off an aggressive trap.

Through Oak Bay’s pressure, Kits have continued to find their opportunities and maintain their lead. With a few minutes left in the Q the Blue Demons hold a 1 point lead. Just like that #9 Henderson knocks down the 3 ball and ties this game up at 24 a piece! We got bodies flying all over the place with these girls laying it all out there for a chance at reaching the semi-finals. With 20 seconds to go in the second Q Henderson completes the 3 point play giving Oak Bay a 30-26 lead at the half.

Halftime Fact: To bike from Oak Bay Secondary to Kitsilano Secondary it would be approximately 142 kilometres (not including the ferry ride).

Kits have been looking to establish their inside presence early in the second half by getting the ball inside to Stewart, and seem to have spent some time with their whiteboard fine-tuning their full court press which is looking dialled. On their most recent counter #11 Schwartz found a streaking #15 Stewart with a really nice feed leading to an easy bucket. The back and forth battle continues part way through this third Q with Oak Bay maintaining a 3 point lead. The Breakers bench just went wild as their teammate made a valiant attempt to block Stewart’s most recent layup attempt and got a lot of ball, and little bit of hand resulting in a couple chances for Stewart from the free throw line. Oak Breakers shooting has cooled off slightly in the latter half of this quarter, and that has allowed the Blue Demons to tie this game up at 34. 

The Breakers D is swarming the Blue Demons, making them earn every single opportunity. Kits keep finding ways to make the tough bucket or earn their opportunities by taking the foul and knocking down a free throw. The benches are getting fired up, coaching staff sharing their enthusiasm and the crowd is into this one - end of the third quarter has the Breakers up 41-35.

The Breakers are looking to put this game out of reach quickly in the fourth, starting the quarter with a deep swish by Henderson followed by the nice floater inside by #11 Bergmann - extending their lead up to 13. All of that pressure that Oak Bay has been applying is now paying off, with multiple turnovers from their pressing turning into extra possessions and points on the board. Combo that with solid execution, good penetration from the perimeter and making good decisions with the tight passing inside has them holding the biggest lead of the game up 18. Kits certainly is not going away without a fight, most recently evidenced by #15 Stewarts big block underneath on a Breakers layup attempt! The Blue Demons have fought back, and brought themselves to within 10 with 5 minutes remaining. 

Kits have been giving the Breakers a little taste of their own medicine, putting the full court pressure on and forcing Oak Bay into difficult  decisions. The pressure got the game down to just a 1 point difference, but in the end it was a little too late to complete the comeback. It certainly ensured the crowd and all of those in the gym got to witness an incredible finish to this basketball game! 

With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, there was no shortage of energy and passion between Oak Bay and Kits. A good ol’ fashion highly entertaining battle, but only one team can earn the W. Congrats to the Breakers on their hard-earned victory, giving them a place in the semi-final match up back here tonight against Mulgrave!

Final Score: Oak Bay: 66 - Kitsilano: 63.

No Regrets.