BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

The young Horton D-1 girls’ basketball team didn’t win the prize, but took a big step forward last weekend at their annual Subway Classic.

The Griffins, with a roster including two Grade 9s, five Grade 10s, three Grade 11s and (on this occasion) just one Grade 12 senior, finished with a 2-1 record; and at times looked like a much more experienced squad.

Horton defeated J.L. Ilsley 65-31 and Leo Hayes 76-44 and came within three points of upsetting the eventual tournament champs, the Kennebecasis Valley Crusaders, dropping a 67-64 decision for their only loss after trailing by 17 points at halftime.

With Kira Pederson, one of their top scorers so far this season, less than 100 per cent due to a knee injury; Horton got an outstanding performance from Grade 11 student Lindsay Harris, and plenty of help from the supporting cast.

Kaylee Young, also in Grade 11, joined Harris on the tournament all-star team after a solid weekend. Grade 9 student Katie Jordan was a deserving choice for the Hustle Award, and Grade 10 starter Kayla Davis earned the Team Player Award.

In their win over J.L. Ilsley, the Griffins led 19-7 after one quarter and 35-14 at halftime en route to an easy win. Harris led all scorers with 17 points, Young added 10 and Pederson nine in limited action.

Horton then took on Kennebcasis Valley and trailed 20-15 after a fairly even first quarter. The Crusaders then used hot second quarter shooting to take a 43-26 halftime lead. To their credit, the young Griffins, led by Harris and Young, narrowed the gap to 53-50 after three quarters (outscoring the New Brunswickers 24-10 over the 10 minutes) and pulling to within one point in the fourth quarter before losing by three. Harris again led all scorers with 27 points, Young had 20 and Pederson, who left the game after apparently re-injuring her knee only to return later, finished with 11.

In the third-place game, Horton led 22-13 after one quarter and 38-27 at halftime before pulling away in the second half to win by 22 points. Harris had an outstanding game with 31 points, and Pederson and Davis chipped in 11 points apiece.

Kennebecasis Valley pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Cole Harbour 86-66 to claim the tournament championship.

The Griffins head to a New Brunswick tournament Dec. 14 and 15, then take a weekend off. Their next action will be Dec. 28 and 29, when they compete at a holiday tournament in Halifax hosted by Citadel High.