Axewomen advance to Sweetheart semifinals

Three Oaks plays James M. Hill on Saturday morning

Lauren Lilly of the Three Oaks Axewomen drives to the basket against Avon View Avalanche defenders Katie Meehan, left, and Hannah Murphy during Friday evening’s action in the 38th Three Oaks Senior High School Sweetheart basketball tournament. Three Oaks won the game 62-56 to advance to face the James M. Hill Tommies from Miramichi, N.B., in a semifinal game on Saturday at 9 a.m. Eight senior AAA girls’ teams from across the Maritimes are competing in the two-day event. - Jason Simmonds

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The host Three Oaks Axewomen have advanced to the semifinals of the 38th Three Oaks Senior High School Sweetheart basketball tournament.

The Axewomen defeated the Avon View Avalanche from Windsor, N.S., 62-56 in their opening game on Friday evening. Three Oaks will face the James M. Hill Tommies in one semifinal on Saturday at 9 a.m.

The Three Oaks Axewomen’s Jane Doyle releases a shot during second-quarter action against the Avon View Avalanche in the 38th Three Oaks Senior High School Sweetheart basketball tournament. Kerensa Johnson, 12, and Nakia Wells of the Avalanche defend against Doyle. Three Oaks prevailed 62-56.

The other semifinal, which will be played at 11 a.m., will feature the Leo Hayes Lions of Fredericton, N.B., taking on the Tantramar Titans at 11 a.m. The semifinal winners will meet in the championship game at 3 p.m.
In other action Friday, Leo Hayes defeated the Bluefield Bobcats of Hampshire, P.E.I., 72-48; Tantramar topped the North Nova Gryphons of New Glasgow, N.S., 56-38, and James M. Hill outscored the Amherst Vikings 71-55.

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24-point performance
Against Avon View, Lauren Lilly poured in a game-high 24 points to lead the Axewomen. Jane Doyle (9), who sank a clutch long-range two-point shot in the final minute of regulation time, Amber Dyer (8) and Jill Power (8) were the other top scorers for Three Oaks.
Blanca Goulet (13), Amber Wells (13) and Rachel Schumacher (10) had strong offensive games for the Avalanche.
Three Oaks rallied from a 24-18 second-quarter deficit to take a 36-28 advantage into halftime. The Axewomen led by six, 49-43, at the end of three quarters.