Dreams of a provincial championship, especially for the many graduating players making their final attempt, have been dashed.
The Southern Okanagan Secondary School Hornets have fallen in their attempt to qualify for provincials, losing to Westsyde Saturday at the Okanagan Valley Zone Championships in Kamloops.
The Hornets opened the Valley’s with a 73-50 win over Pleasant Valley, but, with a spot in the championship game, and provincials on the line Friday, SOSS went down to Fulton by a score of 69-55. That meant a three game winning streak was in order for a protential provincials berth.
However, the Hornets, who have been hampered by inconsistent play all year, were unable to muster the spirit necessary to win in a crucial game, as they lost to team a they had beaten earlier in the season by 20 points.
Coming off a tough loss to Fulton in the semis Friday, tthe Hornets were in a must win game against Westsyde, to have any chance of making the provincials for the eighth straight year.
SOSS started out flat and could never get it going as the Whundas played intense defence forcing the Hornets to take ill-advised shots and make poor passes.
There was a glimmer late in the third but like the night prior, the Hornets could not sustain the intensity nor the decision making necessary to stage the comeback, and fell badly 65-44.
Blake Miller Yuckin led the team with 13 followed by Austin Basso and Gurshan Dhaliwal with 11 each.
“The Hornets had shown signs of greatness all year long as they did amass a record of 23 wins and 15 losses, but they did not achieve their goal because of their inability to play consistent 40 minute basketball when it counted,” said head coach Mo Basso on the Hornets facebook site. “The sad part is knowing you are better than you finished and that is what is frustrating.”
The Hornets are graduating seven seniors – Austin Basso, Blake Miller Yuckin, Raj Bahniwal, Karn Mann, Anmol Malhi, Jasdeep Sandhu, and Sukh Mann – and Basso thanks them for their commitment and effort.
“The team wishes you much success in your future endeavours,” summarized Basso, while looking ahead. “To the returning players, learn from this experience and strive to get back to the winning form necessary to make a mark at provincials.”
The Chronicle congratulations the SOSS Hornets on another fine season. We have done Oliver proud again.
