Argyle Pipers Survive Quarterfinal Scare to Reach Semifinals
The top-seeded Argyle Pipers from North Vancouver have advanced to the Quad A girls basketball provincial semifinals, but their journey was far from smooth. In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the Langley Events Centre, the Pipers narrowly escaped with a 73-71 victory over the No. 8 Okanagan Mission Huskies of Kelowna.
Nail-Biting Finish in Quarterfinal Clash
Okanagan Mission led 66-63 with just 2:30 remaining on the clock, despite trailing significantly earlier in the game. The Huskies had fallen behind 15-2 in the first quarter, 43-27 at halftime, and 51-34 in the third quarter, but mounted a fierce comeback that nearly upset the favorites.
Sophie Nicholson led Argyle with 16 points, supported by Sadie Danks with 15 points, and both Cassidy Nugent and Isabella Miljkovic contributing 14 points each. For Okanagan Mission, Shae Sandhu delivered an impressive performance with 35 points, including eight three-pointers.
Historical Context and Upcoming Semifinals
The Pipers, who finished third last season—matching their school-best result from 1998—are aiming to break a regional dominance. Fraser Valley teams have won the past six Quad A titles and 10 of the last 11 championships. Argyle seeks to become the first North Shore squad to claim the crown since the Handsworth Royals of North Vancouver won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
In tonight's semifinals, Argyle will face the No. 5 Semiahmoo Thunderbirds from Surrey at 6:45 p.m. The other semifinal at 8:30 p.m. features the No. 2 Riverside Rapids of Port Coquitlam against the No. 2 MEI Eagles from Abbotsford.
Other Tournament Highlights and Streaming Details
Riverside advanced with an 80-46 win over G.W. Graham Grizzlies, led by Ari Brown's 22 points, while Semiahmoo secured a 72-55 victory over Johnston Heights Eagles, powered by Jaida Claypool's 36-point effort. MEI Eagles moved forward after a 73-66 win over Charles Best Blue Devils, with Ella Tatlock scoring 20 points.
Championship Saturday will showcase provincial finals across all four senior girls tiers, with the Quad A title game at 7:45 p.m. as the main event. All games are available for streaming via pay-per-view at TFSETV.ca, and tickets can be purchased for live attendance. Daily schedules and scores are accessible at www.bchighschoolbasketballchampionships.com.
Coach Insights and Tournament Depth
Seaquam Seahawks coach Lucky Toor commented on the competitive landscape, stating, "I think Argyle has been the clearcut No. 1 team all season long. After that, it's been interesting, because I think anybody else on any given day has been able to beat anybody else, or at least be competitive. This is as deep a group as I've seen in years."
The tournament continues with boys basketball provincials scheduled for next week at the same venue, highlighting a packed schedule of high school sports action in British Columbia.
