SUCKER GARDEN – Thunderz are the 2016 Ladies Basketball champions. Thunderz swept past Lightning in three games in the best of five series to capture first place at Melford Hazel Sports Complex on Sunday, April 3. The Walichi Basketball Association tournament is in its second season.
Leading 2-0 in the best of five series heading into game 3, Thunderz came prepared to not let the opportunity to win the championship slip away. In the first quarter, Thunderz came out strong and led 15-2 after the first quarter and 27-6 at the half. In the third quarter, Lightning turned up the defense and started the comeback. Lightning outscored Thunderz 19-6 to cut the lead to 8 and only trailed 33-25 at the end of the third. In the fourth quarter Thunderz kept on hitting key baskets and free throws to stop any comeback from Lightning. Thunderz won the game 58-40 and as the time showed 0:00, all the Thunderz fans and players ran on to the court and celebrated with confetti, noise makers and applause. Thunderz were led by Chantel Hodge with 18 points, Claudia Fleming with 16, and Joyette Lloyd with 14 points. Lightning was led by Micaela Galva with 12 points, and Jamaiah Newton-Herbert with 10 points.
In game 2 of the series, Thunderz won 55-42 and was led by Chantel Hodge with 26 points and Joyette Lloyd with 23 points. Lightning was led by Tsjaquilla Jeffrey and Jamaiah Newton-Herbert with 12 points each. In game 1, Thunderz won 54-45 and was led by Joyette Lloyd with 17, Claudia Fleming with 16 and Chantel Hodge with 14 points. Lightning was led Micaela Galva with 12, Selah Fleming with 10 and Jamaiah Newton Herbert with 9 points.
President of Walichi Basketball Association Silvia Monte was on hand to present the trophies and congratulate both teams on a well-played season and championship series.
The Walichi Basketball Association would like to thank everyone for coming out throughout the season and during LBC March Madness. Special thanks goes to Leonard Enterprises and Kadaster for being main sponsors of the tournament.
