No doubt entering the gym last night would have a magical feel. Okanagan Mission Huskies and Heritage Woods Kodiaks are never short of showing team spirit and dedication.
Both teams started strong, going back and forth with even possession and scoring. Kodiaks
Rhyanne Head (#9, Grade 11) made her mark along with her teammate, Ella Nielsen (#11, Grade 12) leading the scoreboard 18-23 over OKM early on in the quarter.
After forcing the Huskies to take an early timeout, the Kodiaks seemed confident they had the Huskies under pressure with only 5 minutes left in the first quarter with a lead, but OKM was starting to warm up.
Coming into the second quarter, Kanani Coon (#14, Grade 12) NCAA D1 bound, took over,
dominating the glass and forcing turnovers. She helped take the lead from the Kodiaks early on in the quarter at 31-29. It was a battle to keep the score even, also even was a battle on the bench for the loudest team spirit. OKM dominated the rest of the quarter, increasing their lead by 13 points at the end of the first half.
Starting the second half, it was no shocker that the Huskies weren’t finished. Bahar Ebrahimi
(#12, Grade 11) made a valiant effort to try and keep the Kodiaks up to speed with OKM.
Nonetheless, the Okanagan Mission girls dominated, speedily increasing their lead with points consistently coming from Coon and Guard Presley Hopf (#11, Grade 11) by 30 points at the end of the third quarter.
Regardless of the outcome, Heritage never lost its team spirit. Heritage managed to keep a brave face despite confronting a steep loss against Okanagan Mission, 88-47.
After handshakes, and speaking to upcoming sensation, Kanani Coon, it is never short of exciting to witness young talent take their next step in their dream. Representing the First Nations of the Enoch Cree Nation and Kwakwaka’wakw, Coon says that she’s excited to start this new chapter,
“I’m excited… I’m going to have a feel for what it’s like. I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s
something I know is what’s best for me in my future,” said Coon.
Coon expressed that her family could not be prouder of the accomplishments that she has achieved for herself, “They are proud, they express that to me every day. I wouldn’t be here without them, that’s for sure.”
There is no doubt Coon has filled her community with immense pride and joy.
Kanani Coon is only the beginning of a small percentage of girls pursuing a dream they have long been told is unachievable. Nonetheless, with Coon’s upcoming achievements, that number grows slightly larger. “I’m extremely humbled to know that I’ve touched the hearts of young athletes, and I try to carry myself the best I can with pride,” says Coon.
Coon has undoubtedly opened many doors for other young girls anticipating for them to be next.
