It wasn’t pretty, but that’s okay.
That was the message from Walnut Grove coach George Bergen following his team’s 74-62 opening round victory at the B.C. boys AAA senior boys basketball championships on Wednesday afternoon at the Langley Events Centre.
The Gators led by just two points after one quarter against the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs. But they stretched that lead to 39-30 at the half and never let the Bulldogs within six points the rest of the way.
“Sometimes you have to win ugly or gritty and we did that today,” Bergen said.
“In the second half we got a little bit grittier and we won the battle on the glass.”
Walnut Grove grabbed 22 offensive rebounds compared to Churchill’s 15.
Jadon Cohee led the offence for the Gators with 21 points, as well as six rebounds and five assists. Sam Shin hit for 15, including three three-pointers while Josh Mayorga and Sheldon Derton each had a dozen points.
The Bulldogs were led by Mindy Minhas’ 27 points and Jesse Mushiana’s 18.
Bergen said Churchill did a good job of slowing down the Gators transition attack.
The coach also said he expects every team’s best effort as Walnut Grove has a bulls-eye as the Fraser Valley champions and unofficial top seed of the tournament. Walnut Grove will play another Lower Mainland team in the quarter-finals as they take on the Burnaby South Rebels on Thursday (March 14) at 8:15 p.m.
The Rebels defeated the Sardis Falcons 73-69 in their opening round game.
Miranda Gathercole/Langley Times
Below: Walnut Grove Secondary students show off their Gators spirit at the B.C. boys AAA senior boys basketball championships game against the Winston Churchill Bulldogs at the Langley Events Centre on Wednesday afternoon
