The G.W. Graham senior girls basketball team's dream of winning their first provincial championship berth were extinguished Friday with a close 73-64 loss to Abbotsford Christian at the Fraser Valley Championships.

The Grizzlies started the championship round Thursday with lopsided 82-37 loss to hosts Holy Cross in Surrey, putting them into the do-ordie game against Abby Christian the following day.

The Grizzlies found themselves down early, trailing the Knights by 17 at the half.

In the third quarter, however, Graham's Jennika Bannerman took over the game, driving to the hoop and hitting multiple threes with a defender in her face.

Kayla Unger, Aveen Rezends and Kaitlyn McDonald all hit threes in the third to pull the Grizzlies back to even with about six minutes left in the fourth.

Down the stretch, however, Abby Christian hit some key hoops and Graham couldn't answer.

"Nevertheless it was a great night for Grizzlies Basketball," said Graham athletic director Jake Mouritzen. "The Varsity Boys team was in attendance, banging drums and chanting support for their girls team. There was a sense of pride and passion as the girls battled on the court this night."

In AAA action, the Chilliwack Storm also bowed out of the Fraser Valley Championships early with a 52-42 loss to Terry Fox Friday.

The Storm earned a spot in the championship round with a do-or-die 60-29 victory over North Surrey last Tuesday.

The squad lagged behind throughout their game against Terry Fox Friday, however, and couldn't even the score despite rallying in the dying minutes.

cnaylor@chilliwacktimes.com