BC Boys 3A Basketball Provincials: Day 1 Recaps
It may have been snowing outside at some points, but inside the LEC it was hoops heaven. The AAA tournament kicked off today, and we've got everything you need to know below.
Duchess Park vs Caledonia
In the very first game of the day, the third seed Duchess Park Condors were taking on the Caledonia Kermodes. Caledonia actually took an early lead, but from then on the Condors caught fire shooting, and their full court press stymied Caledonia into multiple turnovers. Duchess Park would take this game 72-62 and move on to the next round.
Bateman vs McNeill
The Ravens were down by two at half, as multiple missed layups came back to haunt them. Couple that with a red hot Bateman team shooting 56% from beyond the arc, it was going to be a tough go for AR MacNeill to start the second. The Ravens held up their end of the bargain, outscoring the Timberwolves 40-28 in the second to beat the pesky Timberwolves 77-67. Isiah Peters of Robert Bateman had a game high 22 points.
Pitt vs Argyle
This game was all tied up at 58 heading into the fourth, thanks to a big run late in the third quarter for the Pipers. In the fourth, big threes from Gerial Larosa and Marco Tancon gave them a seven point lead, which ballooned to 14 with 4:18 to go. Argyle shot over 50% from the field in the second half, and knock out the Fraser Valley champs in the process.
Vernon vs Reynolds
Vernon was in complete control from start to finish, winning this game 83-44. The Panthers scored 56 points in the paint, with Kevin Morgan leading all players with 24 points and 12 rebounds. They’ll play Rick Hansen tomorrow in the quarterfinals.
Tupper vs Mark Isfeld
Tupper led 21-19 at the end of the first, and Mark Isfeld was playing way better than their 16th seed designation might have indicated. The Tigers had a seven point lead heading into the second half, and when the Ice took a two point lead midway through the first it looked like they were about to pull off the monumental upset. However Tupper showed why they’re the top ranked AAA team, locking down their opponents the rest of the way for a 73-58 victory. Simon Crossfield had 20 points to lead his team to the W.
GW Graham vs SLSS
It was GW Graham who got out to a hot start, racing out to a 17 point lead at half. In the second half, the Grizzlies scored 48 points and survived a late run by the Sharks to pull out an 85-59 win. Geevon Janday had 18 points and 14 boards and was named Player of the Game.
Rick Hansen vs GP Vanier
Hansen stormed out to a 15-2 lead, but it was a much closer game after that. The Hurricanes had to sweat out the final five minutes as GP Vanier really poured it on, but they were able to take this one 85-71 and punch their ticket to the quarter-finals.
Byrne Creek vs North Delta
They saved the best for last on Day One, as two previously top ranked AAA teams faced off in the first round. Arun Atker of North Delta went off in the first half, scoring 17 points and going 50% from three to help lead his team to a 41-20 halftime lead. In the second half, Byrne Creek got to within 13 but after that point the Huskies turned it back on and won 74-48. Arun Atker led all player with 23 points, while Bithow Wan of Byrne Creek had 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Written by: Nick Bondi