Titans Set the Tone Early, Roll Into the Final in Control

John Oliver Jokers vs Mulgrave Titans Sr Girls
December 12, 2025

It’s semi-final night at Mulgrave School, and the vibe in the gym is exactly where it should be. Upbeat tunes are blasting through warmups, smiles are everywhere, and there’s a calm confidence in the air as the home-team Titans prepare to face the John Oliver Jokers. Both squads are coming off solid opening-day wins yesterday, and with a place in the final on the line, the stakes are high — even if the mood stays light.

With good energy, good music, and good basketball ahead, this one feels set up to be a great contest once the ball goes up.

From the opening tip, Mulgrave wastes no time setting the tone. One of the early storylines is the presence of Titans’ #34 Shokvari on the floor — a Grade 8 student competing in a Senior Basketball semi-final game. An impressive feat on its own, and she looks right at home.

The Titans strike first as guard #4 Armstrong opens the scoring. She immediately establishes herself as the on-court leader, calling plays, directing traffic, and offering constant encouragement to her teammates. Mulgrave builds momentum quickly, and a deep three from #1 Mojarradi pushes the lead to 8–2, drawing an early reaction from the home crowd.

The Jokers struggle to settle in, while Mulgrave continues to play with confidence. Shokvari adds to the excitement by knocking down a three of her own, and suddenly it’s all Titans. After one quarter of play, the home team is firmly in control, leading 15–4.

Rebounding proves to be a major challenge for the visitors early on, and it’s something the John Oliver Jokers will need to clean up if they hope to claw their way back into this semifinal. Mulgrave continues to own the paint, turning second chances into steady points.

Jokers’ #2 Banger tries to spark a response, attacking the rim with purpose and drawing a foul on a strong drive. She calmly steps to the line and converts both free throws — a small but important moment as John Oliver looks for something to build on.

Despite the effort, Mulgrave remains relentless on both ends of the floor. Their defensive pressure forces tough looks, while their patience on offense continues to stretch the lead. The Titans move the ball well, crash the boards, and control the tempo as the quarter winds down.

By halftime, Mulgrave has firmly established command of the game, heading into the break with a 27–8 lead.

Fun Fact: John Oliver Secondary is one of Vancouver’s largest schools and is named after Canada’s first Secretary of State. Their Jokers program has a long history of competitive basketball, and they’ve become regular visitors to deep tournament runs across the Lower Mainland.

Coming out of the break, the Mulgrave coach — a busy man juggling responsibilities of coaching both the Sr boys’ and girls’ teams — appears to see an immediate payoff from the time he spent working with #10 Hoogendoorn throughout the first half. Early in the third quarter, she puts those conversations into action with a strong play, and both player and coach share a moment of satisfaction on the sideline.

John Oliver may also be feeling the absence of a key contributor. According to a reliable source, the Jokers’ Player of the Game from yesterday is not in the lineup tonight, and that missing presence could help explain why they’re having challenges keeping pace.

Still, the Jokers show some fight. #20 Acena knocks down a confident three-pointer midway through the quarter, a bright spot for the visitors. The Titans, however, never ease off the gas. Their pressure, rebounding, and ball movement continue to overwhelm, and by the end of the third quarter Mulgrave has extended its lead to 46–14.

The fourth quarter sees the Jokers refuse to quit. #1 Mohibi executes a beautiful set play, finishing with a smooth basket in the paint. John Oliver fights hard, pushing the pace and testing Mulgrave’s defense with every possession. The Titans, however, are disciplined, moving the ball crisply and maintaining pressure on both ends. Every time the Jokers mount a small run, Mulgrave answers with patience and precision, keeping the game firmly in their control.

In the end, it’s the hometown Titans who will be booking a trip to the finals tomorrow. Despite the deficit, the Jokers’ resilience and flashes of brilliance make for a spirited contest, and Mulgrave’s teamwork, energy, and execution earn them the win.

Final Score: Mulgrave Titans 60, John Oliver Jokers 31

Player of the Game: Mulgrave’s #1 Mojarradi