The Vanier Towhees senior boys basketball team wrapped up their 30-game season on Saturday after losing two straight at the Vancouver Island AAA Championships at Cowichan Secondary in Duncan.
The Courtenay squad gave it their all, said head coach Larry Street. “Both games were against foes who basically had more weapons, even though the Towhees played very tough defence and rebounded very well,” Street said.
Vanier (North #4) opened Thursday, March 1 against Mount Douglas Rams (South #1) and their big challenge was to stop the 6’7″ Conor Morgan, regarded as one of the top forwards in the province. The game plan worked to perfection, especially since a fired up Scott Stevens was assigned to take the challenge of stopping Morgan.
“Scott did a superb job, holding the three-point specialist to only two baskets,” Street said. “Problem though was that Mount Doug had four other talented players who scored their share of points to topple the Towhees 76-58.
“The game was very exciting, and we were only six points back with five minutes left,” Street said. But then the Towhees had trouble scoring, had too many turnovers, and didn’t stop the Rams’ shooters. Dillon Robson led the way for Vanier with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and picked up two charges. Mark McGinnis added 16 points with 4-of-6 three-point shooting while dishing out nine assists. Stevens outscored Morgan by three points (scoring seven) while playing one of the best defensive games any Towhee has played for many years.
Game two on Friday was against nemesis Cowichan Thunderbirds (North #2), and the same scenario occurred, although Dillon was really the only Towhee who made any difference on the scoresheet. He finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Mark McGinnis scored seven points. The other Towhees just couldn’t find the basket, but played just as tough a game on defence as they did on Thursday in a 62-43 loss.
The Towhees tied for seventh with Dover Bay (North #1) at the eight-team tourney. Mount Doug defeated Cowichan 54-51 for third place and last spot to the Provincials March 13-17 in Langley. Oak Bay (South #2) defeated Belmont 68-60 in the final as both teams are representing the Island at the B.C.s.
Robson was selected to the second All-Star team, and Street noted that was a grand accomplishment since he played only two games while all the others played four. “By all accounts, he proved that he may have been the best all-round player at the tournament and he showed why he is being looked at by numerous CIS schools for next year.”
“Congratulations to the 100th team of coach Street’s sports teams, and certainly one of his favourites,” a team spokesperson said. “They represented our Valley with class, and displayed the common hard work ethic that all Towhee teams are expected to show.”
“These lads were a treat to be with, and definitely a much improved team from late November,” said Street. “Good luck to seniors Dillon, Mark, Cam Hughes, Dan Tran and Zach Hunter. Way to go Grade 11s Gryphon Vester, Scott Stevens, Son Pham, Jaron Piercy, Kris Ding, Madison McRae and Lucas Falconer. And thank you managers Scott Theriault and Karl Selda. Finally, a huge thank you to all our sponsors, the parents, the teachers and the community members who supported our team,” Street said.
– Vanier Towhees basketball
