The Quest Kermodes women’s basketball team’s undefeated streak is now approaching New England Patriots circa 2007 level after two more wins on Thursday (Feb. 5) and Saturday (Feb. 7).
Quest improved to 16 wins and no losses in Pacwest play with a 62-35 win over CBC on Thursday and a 71-55 win over the Kwantlen Eagles on Saturday.
But the win against Kwantlen didn’t come without its tense moments.
Quest trailed 31-30 at the half and made only two of 15 three point shots but the Kermodes turned it around in the second half to cruise to the win.
“We settled for more outside shots than we should have,” said Quest assistant coach Kim Land. “We started doing a lot better when we started cutting but they never panicked. You have to give them credit – they found a way to win. They don’t just throw their hands in the air and give up – they keep fighting, that is character.”
Guards Abbey Piazza and Shayna Cameron scored 18 points apiece but Quest also had big all around games out of Miriam Baumann (15 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three assists) and Katrin Sandbichler (nine rebounds, seven steals, six assists and five points).
Land said the team’s play has dipped a bit recently but they’re still putting up wins.
“Teams go through ups and downs and you have to deal with a lot of things through the season,” she said. “You have to be able to fight through the funk and that’s where I think we are right now. We’re finding a way to stay together and grind it out.”
The win clinched Quest of a first round bye in the Pacwest playoffs, as they can now finish no lower than second.
Home court was also good for the men’s team after posting wins on Thursday and Saturday.
Quest beat the CBC Bearcats 75-57 on Thursday and then downed the Eagles 63-49 on Saturday.
Despite the win, men’s head coach Sean Shook wasn’t thrilled with his team’s performance against an undermanned Kwantlen team on Saturday.
“No disrespect to them but we’re a better basketball team,” he said. “We kind of messed around, got up 60-35 and then subbed in guys who haven’t got a lot of run in. But we still have to finish strong and to give up a 14-3 run at the end is all about want.”
Noah DeRappard-Yuswack led the way with 13 points and six rebounds, while Dallas Searles contributed with eight points, four rebounds and four steals.
“For as bad as we played we still won fairly comfortably and hopefully there’s no bad habit carryovers as we move ahead,” Shook said. “We still have an opportunity to win the number two seed – which we haven’t earned before.”
It will be more difficult to finish second for Shook and the Kermodes after the news that fifth year forward Connor Heinrichs is out of action for the foreseeable future with a lower body injury.
“We’re planning on him being out for the season but he might be able to get himself back,” he said, noting he is in a walking cast. “He’s our best big guy and best low back to the basket guy and he gives us better combinations and more post players.”
Shook said players like DeRappard-Yuswack, Paul Getz, Justin Tryon and Mike Powell will have to step up in Heinrichs’ absence. The pair of wins moved the men’s team record to 13 wins and three losses and they are tied for second in the Pacwest.
The teams return to action on Friday (Feb. 13) when the Capilano Blues come to town. Women tip-off at 6 p.m. and the men hit the floor at 8 p.m.
