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Basketball: Churchill Bulldogs win ninth annual Langara Challenge

To mark the culmination of the ninth annual invitational basketball tournament for Vancouver public and private schools, two female referees called the championship game.
basketball
Churchill's Cecilia Bao (No. 7) scored 18 points in the win over Kitsilano in the Langara Chalenge Jan. 22, 2016. Photo Dan Toulgoet

To mark the culmination of the ninth annual invitational basketball tournament for Vancouver public and private schools, two female referees called the championship game.

In the senior girls bracket, Churchill Bulldogs and Britannia Bruins tipped of in the first all-public-school final of the Vancouver Girls Basketball Association's Langara Challenge on Jan. 23 in front of roughly 150 spectators. 

Playing fast-tempo and aggresive basketball, the Bulldogs defeated the Bruins 66-57. Churchill attacked and pressed at both ends of the court, forcing Britannia to rush their shots and compromise shot selection. They led44-23, but the Bruins clawed back to come within four points late in the fourth quarter. 

In the loss, Britannia's Jules Duong led all players with 29 points.

Bulldog Tova Rae was named the tournament MVP as well as the best defensive player. During the fast, physical final, the five-foot-11 centre was often reaching down to pull teammates and opponents back on their feet.

“I must say, the final between Brit and Churchill was the best I have seen,” said Greg Eng, a coach with York House and former coach with the Langara Falcons women’s team.

“Great competitive play, two well-coached teams and incredible sportsmanship displayed by both teams. The game was very physical but clean.”

In the junior tournament, the Lord Byng Grey Ghosts defeated the Killarney Cougars 41-20.

For its 10th year in 2017, the VGBA intends to grow the tournament from the current eight junior and eight senior girls teams.

Photos:

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Killarney Cougar Janel Tantengco (No. 5) dribbles up court in a junior girls semi-final during the Vancouver Girls Basketball Association Langara Challenge Jan. 22, 2016. Photo Dan Toulgoet

 

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Killarney Cougar Becky Wu (No. 40) and Notre Dame Juggler Catherine Tom (No. 33) wait for a rebound during a junior girls semi-final during the Vancouver Girls Basketball Association Langara Challenge Jan. 22, 2016. Photo Dan Toulgoet