Valemount’s senior girls basketball team fought hard for third place at the tournament in Valemount last weekend. But in the end, the team decided to “do the right thing.”
It was 40-40 at the end of the game, and they were looking to go into overtime. The opposing team, Columneetza from Williams Lake, had just five players at the tournament, meaning those five played the entire game.
Valemount’s coach Tim Nusse said those five girls “played their hearts out” with no subs. He and the opposing coach discussed the possibility of a tie instead of forcing the girls into overtime.
“With players this age, you’re always worried about injuries. I took it to my girls. I told them I want you to think about what the right thing is to do. They didn’t hesitate, I was quite proud of them.”
In addition to calling it a tie, Valemount also awarded the opposing team five all-star shirts for each member of their team.
Usually only one shirt is awarded per team each game.
Valemount wasn’t at their top speed either, however. Several players were recovering from the flu, and one was still sick.
Another was recovering from an ankle sprain. The team also has many junior players this year, with only two Gr. 12s and one Gr. 11 player.
“It’s really a junior team developing at the senior level,” Nusse says.
The winner of the tournament was Mountain Christian from Dawson Creek who beat out Northside Christian from Vanderhoof 36-34.
This coming weekend the girls will compete at a tournament in Burns Lake. Good luck girls!
Laura Keil
