Gophers fight hard in final

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This article was published 21/03/2016 (3704 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The University of Manitoba was overrun with Gophers last week.

Both the boys and girls Garden City Fighting Gophers junior varsity teams competed in the provincial finals at the U of M on March 15.

The No. 1-ranked Garden City boys fell to the No. 2-ranked Sturgeon Heights Huskies by a score 65-63, while the No. 2-ranked Gophers girls lost to the Vincent Massey Trojans 70-50.

The boys’ final went down to the wire, and then some. The game went to overtime, with the Gophers leading by four late into the extra frame. But the Huskies managed to tie the score at 63 before guard Riley Pierce sunk a buzzer-beating field goal.

“I’m proud of my kids,” said Gophers coach Iggy Grinevsky. “I looked at them in the locker room afterwards and told them they were men. They battled out there. I can only respect that.”

Garden City stars Kyle Lai and Justin Omaga were named to the tournament all-star team.

On the girl’s side, Gophers coach Darrell Flett said his squad played better in the final than the 20-point difference would indicate.

“We were in it until about halfway through the third quarter. We had cut it down to a seven-point lead and then we just ran out of gas,” Flett said

To keep up with Vincent Massey’s deep lineup, Flett said his best five players were on the court the entire game. He said the Trojans biggest advantage over the Gophers was size.

“If I took away my 5-11 girl (Shamorah Omoerah), I’d say our average height would be 5-4,” said Flett. Vincent Massey has six players listed at five-foot-nine or over.

Flett said his small in stature squad was able to make the provincial finals due to strong defence, the ability to adapt to any opponent and a “high basketball IQ.”

Two Gophers, Samarah Fangmann and Czyelle Mas, were named to the tournament all-star team.

“Samarah is a 5-7 power forward, an extremely talented, versatile player. She rebounds, she can shoot a three pointer, she can drive to the basket and play some wicked defence. She’s a great all-around player,” Flett said.

“Czyelle, she put up 30 points in the semifinal against St. Mary’s. She’s a team leader and in my estimation is the best guard in the province.”

Flett also singled out Garden City guard Tyra Manalo as an impact player.

Both Gophers junior varsity teams won the Kilconan Peguis Athletic Conference championship on March 3.