FREDERICTON, NB (August 11, 2018) - The 2018 15U and 17U Women's National Championships concluded today in Fredericton with British Columbia earning the 15U championship over Ontario by a 65-56 margin, while Ontario captured the 17U championship over Quebec by a score of 67-56.

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British Columbia was led by Izzy Forsyth and Tara Wallack, who each scored a team-high 13 points, while Forsyth secured six rebounds and a pair of steals for her team in the victory. Ontario was led by Izabella Zingaro, who put up a game-high 15 points.

It was a slow start for British Columbia to begin the game, as they had trouble getting past a staunch Ontario defence while the second quarter was much of the same. Ontario controlled the boards, found their way to the foul line consistently, and extended their lead to 32-18 heading into the second half.

However, British Columbia attacked the paint with purpose in the second half and quickly brought themselves back into the heading into the fourth quarter. Ontario's foul trouble quickly caught up with them in the final frame, allowing British Columbia to stop the clock and take an eventual lead where they ultimately ended the game with a 65-56 victory.

15U MVP - Izzy Forsyth - British Columbia

Click here for the boxscore.

Ontario was led by Andrea Dodig and Maggie Besselink in the 17U championship, as Dodig put up an impressive 14 points and three steals while Besselink led the way with a game-high 16 points. Quebec was led by Lisa Tesson, who scored a team-high 15 points and added three steals herself.

It was a closely contested matchup between Quebec and Ontario through the first half, as Ontario's Dodig led the way early to keep the game neck-and-neck in the opening frame. Quebec outshot Ontario in the opening half from beyond the arc, yet Ontario's efficiency in the paint kept them in control heading into the third.

The second half belonged to Ontario, as they controlled the boards and moved the ball with purpose throughout the half. The game was still within reach heading into the fourth quarter, but Ontario's execution down the stretch pushed them to the eventual 67-56 victory.

17U MVP - Maggie Besselink - Ontario

Click here for the boxscore.

In the 15U tournament, Quebec earned third placed over Saskatchewan in a 54-40 victory. In the 17U matchup, British Columbia narrowly edged out Alberta in their bronze medal game, finishing the tournament with a slim 65-62 victory to earn third place in the tournament.

The National Championships are a stepping stone to Canada's national team program. A number of past participants have gone on to represent Canada internationally - most recently in this summer's FIBA U17 and U18 competitions.

Last year, Team Ontario defeated Team Quebec 75-55 to capture the 15U championship, while at the Canada Summer Games, Team Quebec earned the 17U title with a 70-57 victory over Team Ontario.

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