Lady Mariners off to Provincials

It was no walk in the park, but the Lady Mariners basketball team from Digby Regional High School qualified today for the provincial Division 3 championships next weekend at Cape Breton Highlands in Margaree Harbour.

Digby was expected to easily handle Bridgetown after mauling Musquodoboit 61-36 Friday evening, and the Mariners did come through 52-42.

But numerous missed shots—and Bridgetown’s work under the nets—saw Digby’s lead shrink to four points in the third quarter after having a 12-point edge, 27-15, at the half.

Bridgetown was led by grade 11 student Petra Rafuse, whose height helped dominate the boards. She scored 31 of the team’s 42 points, although she had man-to-man coverage through the game.

Despite the effort by Rafuse, the Mariners were able to work their lead back to eight points by the end of the third quarter, helped by a number of breakaways from forward Joleesa Robinson, who lay-up and speed were reliable weapons.

As the gym emptied after the game, Robinson stayed behind to practice her foul shots. She had made two of four in the game, and ended with a team-leading 24 points.

Alyssa Oliver added 10, Lynn Wall and Rebekah Cook each eight, and Jessica Sabean added two.

Bridgetown’s Rafuse was helped by five points from Robyn Reid, four from Laura McOrmond and two from Katie Chute.

The Digby girls, who are expected to leave Wednesday for the Provincials in Cape Breton, had to win this weekend after losing a 58-55 squeaker at home the previous week to Bridgewater in the Division 3 Western Regionals.