In the final, the Whitehorse Vanier Crusaders captured their sixth consecutive title by dusting the Whitehorse Porter Creek Rams 89-70. “I don’t know what to say. Eight of us are graduating … so we’re kind of happy we’re ending on a good note for us Grade 12s,” Crusader Ian New told the Yukon News. “I hope we’re going to keep it going furthermore.” Crusaders coach Sean McCarron said “every game is an opportunity to learn and improve. When you win a bunch of games you don’t want your team thinking there’s any guarantee out there. Porter Creek, in that first half, did exactly what I’ve been telling these guys they have the potential to do — out-rebound us, out-hustle us, out-shoot us, and tonight they actually did. We’re dangerous when we’re fast, aggressive and anticipate passes.” The Crusaders led 52-40 at the half and expanded their lead to 30 on a trey by Josh Rumbaoa. Hines Viernes added a bucket to cap 10-0 run that made the score 78-46. “In that third quarter we got on the fast-break and got some easy lay-ups because our three-point shooting wasn’t great,” said McCarron. “We went back to the trap.… They broke it in the first quarter, (we) took it off for a quarter, and in the third quarter went back to it and it got us the win — the third quarter.” New paced the Crusaders with 25. Tournament MVP Rumbaoa added 21. “Josh is a fantastic player,” said McCarron. “He’s got excellent fundamentals. He can shoot threes, which he did tonight, he can dribble with either hand, and over the championships he consistently contributed at both ends of the floor.” New said Rumbaoa is” in Grade 9, but he stepped up to the senior level. When I was in Grade 9, I couldn’t do as much as he did at the Yukon champs. I’m happy because he’s my cousin as well.” Dave Mindanao led the Crusaders with 18. Evan Milenk added 17 and Brandon Barrett 14. McCarron said “Porter Creek, they’re a dangerous team and we didn’t take that for granted. They gave us a really great final — I think the crowd enjoyed it. The energy here was fantastic.”
The bronze medalist Whitehorse F.H. Collins: Warriors: Ralph Hermosa;
The runner-up Whitehorse Porter Creek Rams: Evan Milenk; Brandon Barrett; Morgan Blattman; Jared Peterson;
The champion Whitehorse Vanier Crusaders: Josh Rumbaoa; Ian New; Dave Mindanao; Hines Viernes; Michael Trinidad; coach Sean McCarron