If the Richmond Racoons’ outstanding campaign is any indication, the future is bright for high school girls basketball in the city.
The Richmond Youth Basketball League (RYBL) U13 rep team recently capped a perfect season in the Basketball B.C. Metro League “A” Division — going 10-0 in league play then capturing the playoff championship.
The Racoons regular season dominance saw them win by an average of 21 points over the 10 games. The girls then won each playoff game by 11 points as the Metro League Championships took place last weekend.
Under the dedicated coaching of Tim Carkner and Simon Dykstra, the Racoons feature just one player over 5-foot-5 but their speed, solid defence and “pass and cut” offence made them hugely successful.
The roster includes: Jasmine Leung, Kaila Fong, Mina Chong, Marah Dykstra, Katie Chan, Priya Sidhu, Sharlene Siy, Kate Carkner, Anngrei Mariano and Nadeen Wu.
Meanwhile, RYBL’s U13 girls team made big improvements over the course of the season.
The Cubs competed in the Metro League “B” Division where they compiled a 6-4 record to place sixth in the league season, then finished fifth in last weekend’s playoffs.
The girls were coached by the tireless efforts of Carkner and Dykstra.
The team included: Joy De Jesus, Taryn Hill, Mary Win, Caitlyn Kippan, Samantha Siy, Marina Radocaj, Abby Bodden, Grace Wallace, Ashley Maedel, Jordyn Minchin, Ella Hurst and Annalise Wong.
