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Knights golden once again at Chargers Invitational

Basketball: Holy Trinity Academy undefeated at Bert Church tournament
SPORTS-BBall HTA Girls BWC 8464
Francine Sarmiento was player of the game for the HTA Knights in their tournament championship victory over Strathcona Christian Academy at the Bert Church Chargers Invitational on Dec. 18 in Airdrie. (Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAY)

The hits keep coming for the Knights.

For the third consecutive tournament the Holy Trinity Academy Knights senior girls basketball team advanced to the championship and won their second straight title with a trio of convincing victories to come out on top at the Bert Church Chargers Invitational, Dec. 17-18 in Airdrie.

HTA opened with a big win over Westlock’s R.F. Staples Secondary with Ariana Dela Paz leading the way with an 18 points and six rebounds performance.

The Knights got the toughest test of the weekend in the ensuing semifinal against Airdrie’s Croxford Cavaliers.

HTA went into halftime with an 18-point lead only to have their South Central Zone rivals claw back to a three-point deficit in the third quarter.

“Our girls did not lose their cool, they remained stoic and focused, finally outscoring Croxford by 22 points in the end,” said Knights head coach Scott Royce. “This was definitely a character building game. 

“The girls needed a scare like this, it was my only chance to see how they would react to such pressure, especially in the other team’s home town and the girls passed the test with flying colours.”

Co-captain Kylie Tiedje was the lynch-pin on offence, pouring in 12 points and adding 15 rebounds in the semifinal.

In the tournament final, HTA got past Strathcona Christian Academy from Sherwood Park by an impressive 60-point advantage in the end.

Francine Sarmiento, player of the game with 10 points, controlled the tempo of the game along with Dela Paz and Sadie Bull, Royce added.

Both Bull and Brooklyn Bonertz took home the championship game MVP nod while Tiedje earned tournament MVP honours.

Through league and tournament play, the Knights have a 13-1 record.

In January, the Knights dig back into tournament action at the All Saints tournament and in Foothills Athletic Council play return to the court on Jan. 12 versus Highwood.


Remy Greer

About the Author: Remy Greer

Remy Greer is the assistant editor and sports reporter for westernwheel.ca and the Western Wheel newspaper. For story tips contact [email protected]
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