In their senior year the powerful combo of Shalie Dheensaw and Shaylyn Crisp have led the Claremont Spartans to the finals of the 2011 High School AAA Girls Basketball Provincial Championships at Capilano University.
The Spartans were nearly upset in the semis for the second year in a row as the Saanich team need overtime to defeat the Brookswood Bobcats, 72-65.
The Spartans face the W.J. Mouatt Hawks in the finals today (March 12).
Crisp led the Spartans with a team high 21 points.
Last year the Spartans were upset in the final four by an older Oak Bay Breakers squad, who finished second in B.C.
A little older and a little wiser, this year's Claremont team is getting more depth from support players Jordis Wachter, Melissa Van Dyk, Shannon Elder and Caitlyn Anderson.
Dheenshaw was the leader against the Argyle Pipers in the quarterfinals. The 6-foot-3 post scored 21 points and 21 rebounds in a 71-50 win.
W.J. Mouatt defeated South Kamloops 55-50 in the other semifinal.
While the Spartans' hope to better their fourth place finish from last year, the Spectrum Thunder were hit with a setback but are still on a surprise run. Grade 8 standout Lauren Yearwood scored 21 points as the Thunder fell 66-52 to the Maple Ridge Ramblers.
With one win and two losses, Spectrum can even their record winning their final game today against Heritage Park. Both will finish in the bottom six.
