The Mark Isfeld Senior Girls basketball team captured a 3A Island Championship on their home court on Feb. 15 and became the first girls basketball team in Isfeld history to do so. It was in convincing fashion, dispatching Timberline and Wellington in the first couple of games by an average margin of 30 plus points. This set up a clash with North Island rival Alberni in the 3A Island final.
The Isfeld Ice had a couple of fairly close league games with Alberni earlier in the year, but this game was over soon after it started. A combination of stifling defence and hot-shooting offence completely overwhelmed Alberni as the Isfeld Ice prevailed 64-21 with all players significantly contributing.
Janel Follis was selected an Island Second Team All Star while Katie Hartig and Phoebe Cunningham were first all-stars. Elana Russell was voted Tournament MVP and Sara Linares Blanco was the tournament's Outstanding Defensive Player.
As Island Champions, the Ice were seeded #6 heading into the provincials held Feb. 26 to March 1 at the Langley Events Centre.
The first game had Isfeld squaring off against South Kamloops. A defensive battle and trouble getting comfortable scoring in the big city setting resulted in a narrow victory, but a win nonetheless. Rylan Boccabella was stellar on both ends of the court after a recent ankle injury and was selected as the Player of the Game, and the Isfeld Ice advanced to the Quarter Finals against #3 Duchess Park from Prince George.
This game was highly entertaining from start to finish, featuring many runs and comebacks. Isfeld Ice was down 11 points at half, but never stopped believing, storming back in the second half to take a fourth quarter lead. Isfeld found themselves down one with less than a minute left after a miraculous DP three pointer. An absolutely bizarre over and back call took the ball from Isfeld at a critical time. They were unable to foul quickly to put the game into a bonus situation and lost in heartbreaking fashion by 3 points.
The next morning, Isfeld faced hot-shooting seed number seven, Abbotsford鈥檚 Robert Bateman. The team relied on each other, defending and sharing the ball, leading from the start and holding firm on any comeback attempts to win by 15. Elana Russell had a third straight amazing game and was selected Player of the Game.
On the last game, Isfeld faced the fifth place team, College Heights from Prince George. Similar to the last game, the Ice got off to a quick start and early lead. A fantastic do-it-all player for College Heights did their best to keep them in the game, and the contest was close throughout. Rylan Boccabella, the team's outstanding defensive player, tirelessly worked to shut her down and keep her team in the game.
When scoring leader, Lanny Russell fouled out at the end of the third quarter, everyone except her teammates were worried. Grade 11 guards Jayla Robinson, Amelia Kuhn, Janel Follis and Lillianne Bourget shared the load and the Ice never looked back, winning by 10 and claiming 5th in B.C..
Phoebe Cunningham was named Player of the Game in the final contest with ten second half points including an amazing and-one finish at a critical time. The girls never flinched, proving they can play with the top teams in the province, and played their best basketball of the year at the exact right time.
Elana Russell was named a Provincial Team All Star, the first such honour for Isfeld Girls Basketball. Ice seniors Lanny Russell and Katie Hartig will join Isfeld Alumni Harriette Mackenzie at Vancouver Island University next year to play for the Mariners.
Coaches Colin Cunningham and John Boccabella would like to thank the girls for their dedication and an amazing parent group for your support all season. With 8 grade 11's returning to the team next year, the Ice will be a force again in 2025/26.
