Spencer Finlayson hit a buzzer beating shot to launch the Pen High Lakers into the 4A Okanagan Valley Championship against the Kelowna Secondary Owls Friday.
With less than two seconds remaining in a 61-deadlock, Finlayson took a jump shot with the clock racing down. Everyone watched as the ball bounced off the rim then dropped for a 63-61 Laker win over the Mt. Boucherie Bears. The Bears had tied the game at 61 with a three-point shot with 13 seconds remaining.
“They are a great team,” said Lakers assistant coach Andrew Knudsen. “We are very even with them.”
Knudsen said if Finlayson doesn’t hit that shot, they go to overtime.
Jake Stokker had a big game for the Lakers putting up 31 points, while Monty Tebbutt scored 15.
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Knudsen said the Lakers played strong defensively, especially Riley Dunsmore who has done a good job all year locking down teams offensively. Knudsen said without his efforts, the game would have finished with a different result.
The Lakers led the game 38-28 at the half, then the Bears outscored the Lakers 21-10 in the third quarter.
Now the Lakers face the No. 2 ranked Owls Friday at 7:45 p.m. at Pen High. The Owls easily dispatched the Salmon Arm Gold 101-54 in their game on Thursday.
Knudsen acknowledged that will be a tough matchup.
“We have to be perfect,” said Knudsen. “We have to play the best defence and execute. It’s possible.”
The Lakers closed out their regular season against the Owls on Feb. 14, losing 93-47.
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