February 18, 2023. Victoria, BC (ISN) –   The Claremont Spartans senior girls basketball team returned to the top of the Vancouver Island 4A girls high school basketball podium with a 79-68 win over the Reynolds Roadrunners  Saturday night at Claremont Secondary School.

February 18, 2023 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Claremont Spartans are Vancouver Island high school champions – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Claremont’s Adia Pye would lead the Spartans to victory with a 31pt performance on the evening, garnering the tournament most valuable player award as the top offensive player. Reynolds’ Bella Graves would lead all scorers in the final with 32 points for her team despite the championship loss.

February 18, 2023 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Claremont Spartans Adia Pye is Offensive Player of the Tournament – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Claremont would gain a berth to the final with an 89-29 opening tournament victory over Oak Bay, and a semi-final win over a strong Belmont Bulldogs team 72-62.

February 18, 2023 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Reynolds Roadrunner Bella Graves was highscorer in the finals matchup despite the team loss – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Reynolds, who advanced to the final with a dominant 65-29 semi-final win over Nanaimo District Secondary School the night prior, would control the glass with their size for the first period and a half against Claremont in the championship game, turning away any second chance scoring attempts by a “colder-than- normal” shooting Spartans starting five.  Reynolds would control the lead after the first period of play with a 17-15 advantage   The Spartans, unable to find a bucket in early in the second frame, would grit out the tough Reynolds defense with points from the line and a pair of three pointers by Adia Pye and Carys Clarke late in the second period to turn their first quarter two-point deficit into a five-point lead over Reynolds going into the locker room at the half with a 32-27 lead.

February 18, 2023 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Claremont Spartans Adia Pye handles the ball out of a danger – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Claremont, not looking back would continue their momentum in the third period. The Spartans’ Pye and Clarke would outscore Reynolds 5-2 from behind the arc with the hot hand to help their team open up a 15-point lead 59-45 after three periods of play.

February 18, 2023 Victoria, BC (ISN) – Claremont Spartans Carys Clarke scores her only 2 pointer in the game, however had 5 3-pointers to help lift her team to victory – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)

Despite some Reynolds physical play inside the arc that would hold Claremont to only 4 points, Spartans would convert on 7-7 shots from the foul line to hold off the Roadrunners. The Roadrunners would outshoot the Spartans from 3-point land 12-9 in the closing four minutes of the game, however the Spartans damage was already done and with an insurmountable lead and time on Claremont’s side, the Spartans would hoist the championship trophy in victory.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR