The University College of the Fraser Valley women's basketball team came through again over the weekend, claiming its third straight BCCAA provincial title. The tournament started for the Cascades on Friday evening, after a first-round bye secured them a spot in the semifinals.

Langara was the opponent and they played them tough. The UCFV fans were there in full force, filling one half of the bleachers and banging on drums. At one point in the action, the referees stopped that game demanded that the drumming cease, as drums are against BCCAA rules. Langara likely wished the referees had the power to ask Jamie Born to cease. Born had a double-double, with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Lauren Alonzo contributed 13 rebounds to the victory as all five starters tallied at least five boards. The Cascades didn't seem to have the energy on Friday but perhaps they could be excused. Jamie Born was playing on torn ligaments in her ankle, Cassi Born was two weeks removed from emergency surgery, and point guard Kalisha Reid had been laid up with the flu for most of the week. That the team survived the tough Falcons from Langara is a testament to their will, as they took the game 53-43, with the final score making it look easier than it was.

Whatever BCCAA coach of the year Al Tuscherer said to the women after that game must have pushed some buttons because the next night, they were back to their dominant ways as they destroyed the Capilano College Blues in the gold medal game by a score of 55-37. This time the score made it look closer than it really was.

"Defensively we just took them right out of the game. Our defense was so strong tonight, I mean how many offensive fouls did we take?" said Tuscherer.

Well, Cassi Born took four herself on her way to player of the game honours. Born also added 11 points and 9 rebounds to the cause as once again, all five starters grabbed at least 5 rebounds. The bench got into the action as well, as first-year player Estee Clifford came into the game to go 4-4 from 3-point land, including 3-3 in the first half. The Blues were defeated after about 3 minutes as they saw UCFV's advantage climb to 11-2, and the Cascades never let up until they dribbled out the final seconds of their third straight championship.

The hardware poured in for the team as Lauren Alonzo, adding to her BCCAA Player of the Year award, first team all star status and CCAA All Canadian award, picked up the MVP for the tournament. She was dominant on both ends but especially defensively and on the glass. Jamie and Cassi Born were each named tournament all stars as well. To top it all off, the Cascades not only took home the championship trophy but also the Fair Play award, a testament to the character of this talented, hardworking team. The next step for the women is the CCAA Nationals in Nova Scotia.

The UCFV men didn't fare as well over the weekend, despite coming into the tournament as the number-one seed. Up against the flashy Capilano Blues, led by star Chris Porteous, the Cascades seemed to come out tentative, perhaps showing their inexperience.

"I thought the kids played nervously for the first half then settled in and in the end it could have been anybody's game. We needed to execute at the end and rushed some things that may have cost us a chance at getting close enough to put the pressure back on them," said coach Pat Lee.

Lee didn't mention the referees who may left a mark on this game by sending BCCAA Player of the Year Pete Wauthy to the bench with a little over 3 minutes to go in the game with his fifth foul. At that point, the Cascades were within a few points, battling back to within striking distance. Even after Wauthy was exiled, the effort remained string and the men were within two for over a minute. Unfortunately two costly turnovers down the stretch sealed the game and the Cascades found themselves on the losing end of a 75-67 score. Pete Wauthy led the team with 20 points, despite spending much of the first half on the bench. Matt Thiessen also had a strong game with 12 points and 8 rebounds and Dan Turner chipped in with 17 points.

The let down from that game was very obvious the next night as the team seemingly had no energy left for the bronze medal game against the UNBC Timberwolves. Led by scoring star Gene Wolff, the Timberwolves took advantage of the situation with some hot shooting, nailing six three-pointerss in the first half alone and jumping out to a 20-point lead. In the second half, the Cascades found their pride, and led by the defense and shooting of Mark Turner, battled back to within five points with 2:33 to go in the game. In the end, the mountain was too tall to climb and the Cascades surrendered a 75-65 decision. Turner finished with 22 points and 5 rebounds while Pete Wauthy contributed 15 points and 8 boards.

"Overall our season was outstanding, as we have had new players and players with little playing experience do a great job in helping us win the league. Being able to say we won the league going into the playoffs and getting the number one seed in the tournament is a testament to the hard work the players put in during the season. They are to be congratulated on their effort," said Lee, adding, "We are in great shape for next year and I am already looking forward to the challenges that will come about in developing a championship team."

Story by UCFV student Ted Leavitt

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