SPORTING LIFE vance at tourney Opening loss drops Royals to consolation round Bob Mackin Sports Reporter bmackin@nsnewscom BASKETBALL fans will have to wait another year for an all-North Shore matchup in the B.C. girls AAA cham- Pionship at the Capilano College SportsPlex. The number three-ranked Argyle Pipers began their quest to become the first North Shore team to win the crown since the Windsor Dukes’ back-to-back tides in 1989 and 1990. Their 77-57 win over the South Peace Penguins Wednesday afternoon set-up a quarter-final meeting Thursday night after the News deadline with the Thomas Hancy Thunder of Maple Ridge. Meanwhile, the Handsworth Royals ran head-first into rhe plucky Maple Ridge Ramblers and lost 66-54. Argyle, which finished third in 1998, looked shaky in the first half. The Pipers managed a slim 40-38 lead at halftime. But the defence held the Penguins to just 10 points in the third and nine in the fourth en route te the 20-point victory. Guard Ashley Burke and forward Beth Graham played the full 40 minutes, but Burke led Argyle with 16 points. Penguin Lindsay Burres was the game's high scorer with 29 ints. “We didn’r start off very well, but the second half we settled down and plaved our gaine and took advantage of our size,” said Argyle coach Jason Gigliotti. “We'll readjust for tomorrow. Haney’s very Quick as well. As long as we take advantage of our size, then we stand a good chance of beat- ing them, they don’t match up well on our size. They shoot well and they're quick.” The Thunder, a nve-time champion, upset Victoria’s Spectrum in the tournament's first game 67-52. Awin would catapult the Pipers into a Fridzv night semi-final at 8:45 p.m. against either WLI. Mouat Hawks or the Port Moody Blues. The Rewals couldn't keep pace with the Ramblers tor the entire game Wednesday night. Maple Ridge relegated the Royals to the conso- lation round with a 66-54 win. The Ramblers led 12-4 early in the first quar- ter until the Rovais pulled within one point to uail 16-15 entering the second quarter. The Royals’ momentum shifted into high gear, end- ing the half ahead 31-26. The lead changed hands throughout the third quarter until the Ramblers regained composure. “We plaved hard, they just seemed to finish their shots,” said Handsworth coach Jack Tasaka. “They converted from the foul line, we didn’t. We thought we were in the game all the way, until the end.” The Royals met Victoria’s Claremont Thursday morning. The 51st edition of the senior AAA tourna- ment continues through Saturday night. The champion will be crowned after the 8:15 p.m. final. ® The Windsor Dukes tell out of contendon for the senior AA provincial title Wednesday, los- ing a first round game 54-25 to Duchess Park in Kamloops. The Dukes were outscored 20-4 in the first quarter and didn’t begin to put together a string of points until the fourth quarter at Kamloops Community College. The St. Thomas Aquinas Saints, favoured to win the boys championship, dispatched Vernon’s Seaton Sonics 84-50 Wednesday morning at Kamloops’ 5,500-seat Riverside Coliseum. The championship continues through Saturday night. @ At the junior boys provincial champi- onship in Nanaimo, the Carson Graham Eagles beat Lambrick Park Thursday morning 62-59. The Eagles played in an afternoon quarter-final, past the News’ deadline. NEWS Mike Waxetleid KELLY Houston of the Argyle Pipers struggies on the floor to keep the bali away from a South Peace Penguin Wednesday. The Pipers won 77-57 on day one of the B.C. AAA girls basketball championship at Capilano College. Brand New Retirement Community “For the love of living” Retirement means freedom: the ability to enjoy your life in a whole new way. lf independence and happiness are high on your list of requirements, the new condominiums at Mayfair on the Green will more than fit the bill. We offer professionally designed suites with respect for seniors concerns. Choose from a studio, 1 or 2 bedroom suite. The elegant finishings, combined with outstanding services place Mayfair on the Green beyond compare. Relax and benefit from all the planned activities while we take care of your household chores, such as weekly : housekeeping and flat laundry service. Enjoy peace of mind at home with the support of our monitored security and MAYFAIR ty WELLNESS & VITALITY ComnuNiTY™ emergency response systems. Your automatic membership to our Social and Recreation Club includes: £xclusive mini-bus transportation Planned events and activities Crafts Room Library and trternet Stations Home Theatre Room Participation in. the unique ISHTAR Wellness & Vitality Program MARS Starting from only $58,500 (including g.s.t.). This is an opportunity nct to be missed. This is not an offering of sale. Such offerings can only be made by prospectus.