Lake Trail’s Grade 9 boys’ basketball team entered last week’s provincial competition ranked 13, which meant their first game was with fourth-ranked McMath from Richmond.
Their first game, at Lake Trail was played in front of a loud, boisterous community crowd. The boys overcome their nerves, played a great game, only losing by 14 points. The high point was a deep three-pointer by Lucas Anderson.
Lake Trail played Pitt Meadows Secondary in their second game. This was the coaches’ third meeting against this accomplished team, losing to them twice before.
It was now Lake Trail’s chance in front of a home crowd to change the outcome. Down by eight points at half and after a convincing half-time chat by coaches Craig Follis and Lance Lloyd, the team found its grit, figured out how to break the full-court press, and started to pressure in the third quarter. Macyn Leopky Johnson, point guard, is a master at distributing the ball, and frequently found Peter “slam-dunk champion” Greaves, deep on the baseline awaiting his opportunity to score for the team. Their determination resulted in a well-deserved win.
Friday night, bleachers packed, players pumped, Lake Trail put on another nail biter performance for the hometown crowd against a strong-minded Delta school, Seaquam. Braden Waugh played his best offensive game of the year leading the team with 11 points.
Connor Lloyd scored two points to tie the game at 39 with 24 seconds remaining.
Then, playing hard nose defence, Lake Trail stole the ball with five seconds remaining leading to an uncontested lay-up by Macyn, who was also fouled on the play. With one second remaining, the team, locked in arms, watched Macyn — alone on the foul line, ice in veins — cooly made his first shot and hit the rim on his second shot so Seaquam could not call a time out and advance the ball into their own offensive zone.
An enormous 40-39 win for Lake Trail.
Saturday began on a high note as Greaves, with his cool demeanour and springy legs, wowed the judges and won the slam-dunk competition with an impressive score of 29 out of a possible 30.
Their final game saw a match-up with the University Hill Hawks from Vancouver.
After a strong showing in the first half by the entire bench, Lake Trail was up by 11, only to find themselves outplayed in the third quarter ending with only a four-point lead.
Both teams battled as the score fluctuated between positives for each; however, strong defensive guard Spencer Flemming hit four points down the stretch to seal the deal with a win.
Lake Trail, Vanier and Highland Secondary schools hosted the tournament. Vanier placed 16th overall.
Macyn Leopky was named a third-team all-star. Peter Greaves and Cameron Bell of Vanier honourable mentions.
Along with a top-10 finish, the Lakers also won the team GPA award.
