South Kamloops dodge a Carihi scare to advance

The first game of the day featured the South Kamloops Titans taking on the Carihi Tyees. The Titans were the favourites heading in, and managed to avoid a huge upset with a big fourth quarter to take it 58-51.

Carihi would keep it close early, making it 10-8 at the four minute mark of the first quarter. #9 of Kamloops had a brilliant steal and basket, while #23 was wide open in the key on the inbound. After one, the score was 16-10.

It got much closer in the second, as Carihi pulled to within one halfway through. However, Nick Sarai made a nice move to the bucket and then drew a foul for two shots from the stripe to give the Titans a bit of breathing room. South Kamloops led by five, but could have been wider if not for the Titans inability to shoot from distance — they went 0 for 16 in three point shooting in the half

To begin the second half, South Kamloops took a nine point lead and momentum seemed firmly on their side. But Carihi then hit four straight three to take a surprising 33-30 lead. Connor Nast of Carihi would expand that lead, but a Ripley Martin three point play and a Nick Sarai buzzer beater tied it at 39 to begin the fourth. In the final frame, the Titans scored 19 points on the back of Sarai and Reid Jansen. Jared Pellas of Carihi made it a four point game with 30 second left, but Kamloops was able to hit their free throws late to win.

Nick Sarai led all players in this game with 21 points, while Ripley Martin had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jonah Shankar had 17 points. South Kamloops scored 42 of their 58 points in the paint, while going zero for 24 from distance.

Written by: Nick Bondi