Led by tournament most valuable player Jaedyn Penkala, the host Immaculata Mustangs upset the provincially ranked Salmon Arm Jewels to win the Sweet 16 junior girls basketball tournament on the weekend.
Penkala scored 18 points as the Mustangs defeated the Jewels 41-35 in the final on Saturday. Emma Johnson contributed 12 points and six steals in a game that saw Immaculata jump out to an early 14-4 lead and never look back.
The Mustangs earned a berth in the title match by defeating Pacific Christian of Victoria 57-41 in a high-intensity semifinal game. Johnson claimed the game MVP distinction with a 15-point, seven-steal effort.
An 88-20 waltz against Summerland eased the Mustangs into the tournament. Lindsay Lalach was the game MVP with 14 points and five assists.
On Friday, the Mustangs put on a huge third-quarter push on the way to defeating the Kalamalka Lakers 60-45 to earn a spot in the semis against Pacific Christian. Megan Hart's 16 points and nine rebounds earned her the MVP honour.
Hart and Johnson both were selected to the tournament all-star team, while Penkala took home the event's MVP trophy.
Mt. Boucherie Bears placed fifth in the tournament, while Heritage Christian of Kelowna finished in 10th place.
Provincial junior rankings
The South Kamloops Titans are ranked No. 1 among junior high-school girls basketball teams in the province, while the Penticton Lakers are sitting in the No. 7 spot as of Feb. 2.
The Kelowna Owls sit on the No. 11 rung, with Salmon Arm listed as an honourable mention along with the Sa-hali Sabres of Kamloops.
St. Thomas Aquinas of North Vancouver is ranked No. 2 in the province and Oak Bay is No. 3.