If Les Miserables novelist Victor Hugo was ever called upon to write a basketball story – that is, if basketball was a thing in 19th-century Paris – it probably would have been something close to what the Burnaby Central Wildcats and Moscrop Panthers endured on Monday.
The two Burnaby-New West senior girls league rivals went the distance, and then some, in a marathon tilt of catch-and-chase that gave a fresh meaning to the phrase “buzzer beater.”
Both teams busted out their long games in a virtual endurance race that ended 89-88 for Burnaby Central, requiring four overtime periods to sift a winner.
It could also sum up the Wildcats’ season to date – fun to watch, but with its share of cliffhangers.
“We came out flat (Monday). Not our best performance, and Moscrop came out strong,” Central co-coach Chris Ducharme told the NOW in an email. “We basically played the game from behind from the get-go. Down almost 18 points at one point. We clawed our way back into the game. Down by six with one minute in regulation.”
It took a pair of long-range missiles to extend the game, with Jalynne Huynh hitting the first buzzer-beater to make it 69-69 and force overtime. Later it was a Wildcats lead, 73-71 nearing the final minute of the second extra session, that wouldn’t stand the test of time.
Both teams had their chances over the four extra stanzas, with Moscrop surging ahead by six in the second OT period. Huynh connected for another at-the-buzzer three pointer to push it to another frame, and Jayden Pineda counted another trey as the third OT ended to keep the Wildcats alive.
In the fourth extra session, Huynh provided the winning shot, much to the relief of the volunteer scorekeepers and referees.
Moscrop got an incredible effort from Pinar Kahraman, who finished with 49 points, including seven treys. Huynh would tally 45 points, matching Kahraman with seven three-pointers.
Central returned to the gym on Wednesday and capped the regular season with a 75-41 victory over Byrne Creek, getting 33 points from Huynh and 13 from Krystal Mendoza in a win that clinched second place behind undefeated New Westminster. J.V. Guinoo cashed in 24 points for the Bulldogs.
At 6-1, the Wildcats look at the playoffs as a chance to garner more experience and apply the lessons learned this season.
“I think the most significant development is they understand how important the little things are to our goal of a provincial berth, because the difference between winning and losing, ultimately for us, are the little things,” said Ducharme.
Led by a pair of seniors – Mendoza, averaging 14 points per game, and Pineda, a defensive dynamo with five steals a night – the squad has made impressive inroads in the midlands of the senior circuit. It’s also benefited from the play of Grade 11 leaders like Huynh, who averages 25 points a game, and Beth Lim, who contributes 12 points and 10 assists on average.
With the local measuring stick being undefeated New West, Ducharme said his squad has made strides and garnered confidence. In their lone encounter, the Hyacks were full-marks for a 92-48 decision.
“I am shocked that (New West) hasn’t received an honourable mention (in provincial rankings). ... (New West coach Doug Woodward) has done a tremendous job with those girls. Again, we love to play against a great team because it’s all part of the master plan.”
What will bridge that gap – beyond the sands of time and the experience everyone hopes will unite for a magical moment – is more play, more games and the lessons gathered, win or lose.
“Our goal heading into the season was two-fold: to one, implement systems both on offence and defence that would increase our team’s basketball IQ, and two, compete hard and win games,” said Ducharme. “The team has learned that they can compete in spurts against the best in the province, but they have to string together runs on both offence and on defence.”
The senior girls playoffs begin Friday at Burnaby North, with Burnaby Mountain facing the hosts (at 4:30 p.m.) and Moscrop squaring off against Burnaby South (6:15 p.m.). The semifinals continue Tuesday with games at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. at New West. The league final is slated for Wednesday, 6:15 p.m. at New West.
