The Shawnigan Lake Stags will have to take the back trails to try and earn the third and final berth to the sa国际传媒 double-A senior boys鈥� basketball championship.
Shawnigan Lake was defeated 68-45 by the host St. Michaels University School Blue Jags in the Island semifinals at SMUS on Friday night.
The Blue Jags, who clawed back from a 39-27 deficit early in the third quarter to go on a 41-18 run the rest of the way, advance to tonight鈥檚 championship game against the Lambrick Park Lions, who defeated Brentwood College 59-40 in the late semi.
鈥淪hawnigan had the measure of us into the third quarter, then we hit a few threes and the momentum shifted. Shawnigan were missing Linus Lauren, a starting forward, which really hurt their depth,鈥� said SMUS head coach Ian Hyde-Lay.
鈥淭hey were in bad foul trouble by early in the fourth quarter, but I鈥檓 so proud of our guys. It was a wonderful comeback. Lucas de Vries had the game of his life, while Ben Keep hit some crucial threes.鈥�
Ryan Hindson had 22 points for the Blue Jags, while Keep added 13 and de Vries scored 11 and added 21 rebounds for the victors. Shawnigan was led by Mostyn Findlay with 15 and Sheldon Crisp added 11.
The Stags drop down into the consolation side where they will attempt to secure the third-and-final berth to provincials, set for March 9-12 in Langley. Shawnigan plays Parkland, which defeated Highland 82-61. Kwalikum beat Pacific Christian 60-39 to also stay alive on the consolation side.
At the triple-A Islands at Nanaimo District, the hosts defeated the Mount Douglas Rams 63-53 in semifinal play. Wellington pulled off the upset of the night, beating Mark Isfeld, ranked No. 1 in the province, 72-45 in the other semi. The two winners meer in tonight鈥檚 championship game at 7:45.
Like double-A, three teams will advance to provincials.
At the quadruple-A Island championship, Cowichan edged Belmont 72-69 in the early semifinal on Friday. The Bulldogs had led for a good portion of the game. The Oak Bay Breakers, rated No. 4 in sa国际传媒, beat the Dover Bay Dolphins 74-57 in the late game.
Cowichan and Oak Bay will play for gold tonight at 8 and advance to provincials in Langley. However, the third-place finisher can challenge the runner-up for the second berth, should they have not met in this Island tournament.
If required, that game would be played Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the home of the second-place finisher.
