Heading into opening day at the BC School Sports AAAA boys basketball championships at the Langley Events Centre Wednesday, Terry Fox Ravens coach Rich Chambers said he didn’t know what kind of team would show up for its first game against the Semiahmoo Thunderbirds — a young squad of fearless world beaters or an assembly of over-matched sophomores and juniors.
He got both.
The sixth-ranked Ravens overcame an inconsistent first half with a dominating second half to defeat the Thunderbirds, 86-84, and advance to Thursday’s quarterfinal round against Vancouver College, which earlier bettered the Centennial Centaurs.
Fox trailed 27-23 at the end of the first quarter and 55-46 at the half-time break.
But the upstart squad that unexpectedly emerged from the Fraser North zone playoffs as its top team after finishing third in league play found its game in the second half, just as Semiahmoo’s shooters went cold.
The Ravens outscored the Thunderbirds 40-29 after the break, including a 5-0 run in the game’s final moments to erase a late 84-81 deficit.
Grade 10 guard Jayson Ikani led the Fox offence with 26 points while another sophomore, Marvin Reyes, contributed 25.
The Ravens play the Fighting Irish at 5:15 p.m. Thursday at the LEC's arena bowl.
Centennial subdued by Fighting Irish
The Centennial Centaurs, which lost only one of its regular season games, never managed to find its legs against the Vancouver College Fighting Irish in their opening round game at the BC School Sports AAAA boys basketball championships at the Langley Events Centre.
The third-ranked Irish defeated No. 14 Centennial 80-65.
It was a result that was never in doubt after the Centaurs had a 4-3 advantage early but never lead again.
By the time the buzzer ended the first quarter, the Fighting Irish was firmly in control, 26-15.
Vancouver College maintained its nine-point advantage at halftime, 48-39.
Centennial did manage to close to within four points late in the third quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Fighting Irish extinguished any hope of a Centaurs comeback.
Centennial’s 6’7” big man, Alex Birsan netted 33 in the losing effort while senior guard Taisho Gilmour contributed another 20.
The loss sends the Centaurs to the consolation round where it will play Semiahmoo on Thursday, at 8:30 a.m. in the arena bowl.
Heritage Woods felled by Mt. Boucherie
The Heritage Woods Kodiaks also fell to the consolation bracket after its opening round 95-85 loss to Mt. Boucherie Wednesday evening at the LEC.
The ninth-ranked Kodiaks 42-35 at half time but came undone in the third quarter, when they were outscored by No. 8 Mt. Boucherie 30-16.
Heritage Woods recovered somewhat in the final period but the deficit proved too steep.
Grade 12 guard Owen Maloney scored 23 points for the Kodiaks, while Dylan Wallace netted 17.
Heritage Woods will play the loser of Wednesday's late game between defending champions Spectrum and Mount Baker. It goes at 1:45 p.m. in the arena bowl.
