No one should be surprised that the Royal Bay Ravens are the team to beat in this weekB次元官网网址檚 city junior girls basketball playoffs.

The Colwood squad, comprised largely of members of the Dunsmuir middle school team that placed seventh at the Grade 8 provincials in 2015, finished first with a 9-1 record in league play.

In tomorrowB次元官网网址檚 (Feb. 10) semifinal this afternoon at Claremont, theyB次元官网网址檒l play the winner between No. 5 Belmont and No. 6 StellyB次元官网网址檚, who play Tuesday afternoon. The RavensB次元官网网址� semifinal berth in the cities assures them of a top-four finish and placement into the Island tournament, being held Feb. 18 to 20 at Royal Bay.

B次元官网网址淭he (Dunsmuir grads) have played together for such a long time, and eight of the girls have played together in night league,B次元官网网址� said Ravens coach Dave Awalt, trying to explain the teamB次元官网网址檚 success.

Not only does Royal Bay have the familiarity thing going on, thereB次元官网网址檚 talent there, too.

Grade 9 point guard Lauren Awalt, DaveB次元官网网址檚 daughter, leads the teams with 16.2 points per game, while Grade 9 forward Hannah Cormode has contributed 13.6 per game. Both girls played on the provincial under-14 team last year and saw some strong competition along the way.

Other team members are Grade 10s Rachel Ready and Desere Sophonow, and Grade 9s Kate Berry, Kaylee Jordison, Maren Konrad, Hayley Pettigrew, Rachel Schmidt and Bella Vedova.

The RavensB次元官网网址� only loss this year came in December to Claremont, who finished second at 7-3. With a 3-2 record in tournament play B次元官网网址� being a new school left them off the invite list for many established tournaments B次元官网网址� Royal Bay is rated No. 12 in the province.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com