It was another boisterous crowd at Vanier on Thursday to watch the final two games of the Superhoops finals.

The girls’ action kicked off the night with the Vanier Crusaders and F.H. Warriors vying for the Superhoops crown. It was a back and forth battle but the Crusaders were able to walk away champions 72-65.

The first half both teams struggled to get into their offensive sets and missed shots around the basket. Even though the two teams were dealing with offensive woes they were bringing it on defence.

Both of teams-implemented a full court press making it difficult on the opponent to get the ball over half with much time left on the shot-clock.

When the teams did score in the first half the Warriors were able to get out and run while the Crusaders opted to get the ball on the low block for buckets under the hoop.

Heading into the halftime the Warriors held a slight edge 35-32.

In the third and fourth quarters, the two teams came out flying. The defence was still there but it was not forcing turnovers so both teams got out and running for quick baskets.

The game remained close throughout. The lead changed constantly, until the fourth when Vanier started to pull away.

Krysha Rubio led the Crusader offence and player of the game Alyssa Cuenza locked down on defence and scored timely baskets to help build a lead that would prove insurmountable.

The Crusaders, who hadn’t beaten the Warriors during the regular season finally got past them, 72-65.

Vanier coach Jane Londero said everything the team had been working on over the past weeks came together in the finals.

“Yes, and then some,” said Londero about the teams’ execution. “They played really well. What we had practiced seemed to have worked really well. Everyone was really on tonight it was great.

“We wanted to get out into transition quickly because they have a really good press so we wanted to get the ball in motion quickly.”

The boys’ final pitted the Warriors against the Porter Creek Rams. After playing a hard-fought semifinal game on Wednesday the Warriors were able to carry their strong play into the finals taking the game 81-63.

The teams started off at a torrid pace pushing the tempo and prowling for easy transition buckets. However, both teams played sloppy ball leading to lots of turnovers.

When they settled down the Rams made it a point of working the ball down low into the post, while the Warriors used ball movement and penetration to generate three-pointers.

In the second quarter, the Warriors began to slowly pull away from the Rams. Ralph Hermosa, who once again was named player of the game, had the offence run through him. He scored from all over the court and set up his teammates for open shots.

The Warriors led by 13 heading into halftime in a game without much flow as the refs’ whistle consistently rang through the gym.

In the second half, the Rams continued to attack the basket relentlessly but the ball was not dropping through the cylinder. The Warriors attacked as well, initiating contact and getting to the foul line.

As the quarter went on the Warriors were able to get wherever they wanted on the offensive side of the ball and continued to grow their advantage.

In the fourth the Rams continued to show plenty of fight but, same as the third, they could not buy a basket.

The game remained a choppy affair and frustrations boiled over as Rams coach Paul MacDonald got assessed a double technical and tossed from the game.

The Warriors dominated the rest of the way to capture the Superhoops title.

The Superhoops win gives the Warriors the second championship of their season after they won the Jamie Shaw tournament. Coach Jeremy McCulloch said it has been a fun journey.

“These last couple of games have been exciting and fun for everyone to watch,” said McCulloch. “But it’s so cool to watch these kids in the Jamie Shaw tournament and Superhoops step up to these challenges.

“I mean we aren’t on the court. You can coach all you want, draw up all the X’s and O’s, but these kids bring the effort and intensity and it’s great to see.”

If you can’t get enough basketball and want to see more, the senior championships are being held in two weeks in Whitehorse.