WEST Vancouver's Janet McLachlan put together a string of dominant performances in leading Canada to a quarterfinal berth in wheelchair basketball at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The barrage started in game 1 Friday night as McLachlan scored 26 points and added 15 rebounds in a losing effort as Canada fell 7059 to the Netherlands. The following night McLachlan topped that performance, scoring 28 points and adding 21 rebounds in a 57-50 win over Australia. McLachlan sealed the win with a pair of late free throws followed by a field goal to put the game out of reach. It was the first 20-point, 20-rebound performance in Canadian women's Paralympic history.
"She is a great player and tonight she had a good night," Canadian head coach Bill Johnson said in a release. "She really came through at crunch time. She is cool under pressure."
On Sunday McLachlan took her game even higher, racking up an amazing 36 points and 23 rebounds as Canada defeated Brazil 6551 to book their spot in the playoffs.
"It was a great game - they are a tough team," said McLachlan of the Brazilians. "They're feisty, they don't ever give up and we have to play through that but it's a good win to have."
On Monday the Canadians wrapped up preliminary play with a 67-50 win over the host Great Britain team. Katie Harnock of Elmira, Ont. lead the Canadians in scoring with 20 points while McLachlan was strong on the glass once again, pulling down a team-high 15 rebounds.
The Canadians, who finished the preliminary round with a 3-1 record, took on the United States in quarterfinal play Tuesday after North Shore News press time. The winner will play Australia in a semifinal game on Thursday. The championship final is scheduled for Friday at 1: 15 p.m. PDT.
