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Crowds return to cheer on UBCO Heat

Things Heating up on and off the court for woman’s basketball team.

  • UBCO Heat makes solid start to season
  • Team thriving on home support
  • Heat on bye week before next doubleheader

The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), is welcoming fans back into the stands this season for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the strong home support in the bleachers of the UBCO gymnasium, nicknamed the Furnace, is giving a boost to the UBCO Heat women’s basketball team.

On Friday, they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds for the very first time in their history. It was a nail-biting 64-63 win. That was followed up by a narrow 63-61 defeat the next day.

“It was back-and-forth, and we found some shots late in the game that we got from a few players. We closed it out on the free-throw line,” head coach Bobby Mitchell told Kelowna10, as he reflected on the historic victory.

“We were very happy with our rebounding in that first game. So that one we were definitely pleased.”

Kelowna10 caught up with the team for the second of their back-to-back games with the Thunderbirds where they came up short by only two points. Their now have a 3-3 record for this season.

While disappointed with the close loss, the team’s spirits were high after being able to play the two games for friends and family at home.

“Yesterday we talked about it after the game. We hit a shot that the crowd just went crazy for,” Mitchell explained. “Everybody on the bench got excited. Similar today, I thought they really gave us some momentum late. We were a little fatigued and it kept us going. We love it, it’s awesome.”

A few stars of the team echoed similar sentiments as their coach.

“I think that’s actually the [most energy] I’ve seen in both my years here, especially after sitting out all of last year. It was so fun to have everyone supporting and being there. It almost helps us score those extra baskets,” Jaeli Ibbetson from Kelowna said.

Kelsey Falk from Vernon added “I went to small schools, so I never had a crowd like that. So not just your bench has the energy, the crowd brings their energy and it’s just awesome.”

Abbey Smith from Manitoba said the crowd is a big help. “It’s awesome. It just reminds me of high school, like playoffs. The energy just lifts you up.”

Following last weekend’s split with UBC, the Heat are enjoying a bye week. Their next games are at home in another doubleheader, against the Cascades from the University of the Fraser Valley on Friday, November 26, and Saturday the 27th.

Fans are encouraged to come early and everyone over the age of 12 will be required to show proof of vaccine status to attend.

The Heat are hoping for more crowd support to increase the temperature and energy in the Furnace.

Published 2021-11-18 by David Hanson

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