(GIRLS) OT thriller sends Argyle Pipers to finals, defending champions Heritage Woods to consolation
Written by Jeff McCutcheon, Handsworth Grad ‘06
In the second round of the No Regrets tournament we have a matchup between the reigning tournament champion Heritage Woods Kodiaks and North Van’s Argyle Pipers.
How they got here:
Yesterday the Kodiaks took on the home court Handsworth Royals and came out on top 52 - 44 while the Pipers were able to squeak out a nail biter 45-41 win against Archbishop Macdonald. This should be a great matchup!
As the two teams got settled for tip off one thing was clear. Argyle definitely has a bit of height on the Port Moody squad. We’ll see if they’re able to use this to their advantage or if the Kodiaks will be able to beat the Pipers with their perimeter play.
Argyle won the tip-off and rather quickly created a nice 4-0 lead for themselves. The reigning champions answered with a beautiful 3-pointer but the Pipers marched on scoring 6 more points to make it 10-3. I spoke with Kodiaks coach Ross Tomlinson pregame and he said “they honestly haven’t had much time to practice together,” and that this team “is built on hard work.” Let’s see if this hard work can help dig them out of this hole. Guard Jenna Griffin puts her coach’s words into action by closing the quarter on a nice run. Her and her teammates are down 12-10 after the first quarter.
In true Quinn Keast fashion, Argyle guard #13 Gabby Corben opened up the first quarter by draining a couple of free throws. As the quarter moved along the Kodiaks consistently double teamed the point guard once she was across half court. However after a time out, Argyle found an answer to this by getting the ball in deep to the paint early. Senior forwards Julia Gocal and Ella Mellinghaus did some damage in the post adding to their lead. As the halftime buzzer expired, Heritage Woods got the last laugh with Griffin hitting a huge 3 pointer. 29-25 Argyle after the half.
I’m not sure what was said in the Kodiak changeroom during halftime but they came out on fire! Scoring 10 very quick points they held a 35-31 point lead just 3 minutes into the second half. The Pipers answered just as quickly with a 11-0 run for themselves assuring that a couple of the hometown dads are unlikely to have voices tomorrow. Again at the end of the quarter Heritage Woods hit a massive 3 pointer to keep this game in reach! Rebecca Green came up big this time and at the end of the 3rd quarter her team trails the Pipers 43-38.
Fourth quarter time! Both teams are playing some very good basketball. Green and Griffin have managed to bring their team back and tie this game before Counsell got in on the fun and hit a 3 of her own. With 4 minutes left Heritage Woods held a 5 point lead. All night long Gabbie Francis of the Pipers was amazing moving the ball on the perimeter. With 3 minutes left she showed her versatility picking up an offensive rebound and getting the put back. This is going to be a wild finish. With 13 seconds left the Pipers were down by 1 with the ball in their hands. They executed a beautiful set play to put their team up by 1 with less than 2 seconds left in a truly clutch scenario. With under 2 seconds left the Pipers did the unthinkable and committed a foul. That sent the Kodiaks to the line and they were able to hit 1 of 2 shots to send this game to overtime.
5 minute of overtime seemed like a fitting ending to this intense game. The Pipers marched out to a 6-0 start; it would take another gutsy comeback if the Kodiaks were going to win this one. The 3 ball just wasn’t happening for the Kodiaks though in the extra frame. After 6 missed attempts from beyond the arc the Pipers held a 6 point lead with 1 minute left. Finally we have a winner. There will be a new champion this year. Congratulations to both teams on a great game but it was the Pipers who came out on top 67-59.
Good luck the rest of the way and No Regrets!