The Isfeld Ice captured their own senior boys basketball tournament for the fourth time in five years with a come-from-behind 52-48 win over Brentwood College on Saturday.
Isfeld found itself down at the half for the first time this season, 26-23, as Noah Kaefer hit a three to end the half. In the third quarter the Ice outscored Brentwood 18-10 to take a five-point lead into the fourth.
Brentwood made a late push, going on an 8-0 run, before Davis Malton closed out the win, going 3-for-4 from the line. “The difference in the game was our depth as Anthony Brown came off the bench to do a great job rebounding the ball,” said coach Tom Elwood.
“Jeppe Madsen and Hank Magdanz did a superb job of shutting down Aaron Shulgu, Brentwood’s star,” Elwood said. Kaefer scored 27 and Malton added 10 for the Ice.
In Saturday morning’s semifinal against #6 ranked Shawnigan, the Ice took control of the game midway through the first quarter and cruised to a 56-45 win.
Once again Isfeld’s depth played a major role as Brett Woods, Anthony Xylinas and Logan Benninger helped control the tempo of the game. Kaefer led with 23 points, Magdanz chipped in 10 and Malton added nine.
On Friday the Ice opened the tournament with a convincing 65-42 win over St. John Brebuef of Abbotsford. The Ice never trailed and every player got major minutes in the victory. Kaefer led with 18 and Madsen contributed 10 for a balanced scoring attack.
The Ice are now 6-0 and have climbed to #2 from #5 in the latest Vancouver Island AAA rankings. They opened league play Tuesday in Port Alberni with an impressive 77-38 win over the Armada.
