The girls opened the Superhoops championship action Wednesday at Porter Creek as the F.H. Collins Warriors took on the Vanier Crusaders.

The Warriors used a strong press defence and got out on the break, to open up the game in the second half to take the final 82-56.

It's been an odd year for the girls' teams this Superhoops season. Porter Creek's team folded, leaving just Vanier and F.H.

"It's been constant competition between schools," said Warriors' guard, and player of the game, Maren Bilsky. "It's a little different because you know everything about them. You know all their tactics, all their habits so it's kind of fun but it was unfortunate that they (Porter Creek) left."

Having played the Crusaders consistently, Bilsky said, it made the game more difficult.

"Yes, but it's definitely awesome to see them improve and watch us improve," said Bilsky. "You never know what's going to happen. It does make it more difficult because every step you take they had time to plan ahead."

The past two years, the Warriors have had strong regular seasons but had disappointing results come playoff time. Bilsky likened the Warriors to Canada's lone NBA team's run to a championship.

"I like to relate F.H. Collins to the Toronto Raptors," said Bilsky. "Sometimes, they have a tough time making it to the championships. The past two years, we've lost in the finals but won all the games before that.

"I was hoping we'd break the chain this year and we did, so I was really excited about that."

F.H. opened the game with a strong press and was able to get out in transition to build an early 14-8 advantage.

As the first quarter professed, Vanier used crisp passes to break the press of the Warriors. The Crusaders attacked the basket and lived at the foul line and they cut it to a three-point 19-16 deficit after one.

It was a back-and-forth second quarter. One team would go on a run, but the other had the answer and would claw right back into it.

Heading into half, the game was tied at 39.

F.H. broke the game open in the third, gaining momentum early and not relinquishing it. Bilsky said this had to do with the teams' mental game.

"It was complete mental game," said Bilsky. "We had to get into the mode of 'OK, we aren't losing, but we aren't winning. We need to turn it on and pump us up, play aggressive and play our game.'"

The Warriors continued their relentless pressure on both sides of the ball, creating an insurmountable lead on their way to the championship.

In her Grade 12 year, Bilsky said it was nice to go out with a win.

"It feels really nice," said Bilsky. "I've been on the senior team for four years out of my five years in high school. So finally getting one in my senior year is a different feeling. I love it."

The two teams will meet again at Yukon Championships in two weeks. Bilsky said Vanier gave them everything they could handle in Superhoops and expects them to be stronger still the next time they play.

"Vanier has definitely got better in every step," said Bilsky. "Every player has evolved for sure."

Tish Siosan was the player of the game for Vanier.