The SAS Sr Golds came away from the South Okanagan with a winning record in the Penticton High Christmas Classic Tournament over the weekend.
Rowan McDonald got the Golds off to a hot start as he drained a game-high, 28-points and chipped in eight rebounds in a 77-73 win over Osoyoos.
Ben Novakowski added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Trajan Boyd made 11 boards.
“We were behind much of the game, as many as 14, but managed to pull it off within the last 90 seconds,” said Golds head coach Rhys Waters. “They played really well, and we didn’t – but the boys never gave up, and we chipped away.”
The Golds dropped their next game of the tournament to the host Lakers 70-63.
Point guard Dawson Mayes led the team with 16 points, followed by McDonald with 15 and Novakowski with 13.
“We shot 40 per cent from the field and 63 per cent from the line, with lots of missed lay-ups.”
“We get to see Penticton again this year, and are looking forward to proving ourselves.”
A late flurry of points by South Okanagan made the final score appear closer than the the contest actually was, said Waters of his side’s 74-64 victory.
Novakowski rattled off 17 points and five rebounds in the Golds final competitive game of 2016.
Matt Cooper and Mayes each added nine points from the bench, and Mayes also had six steals.
“This was just what we needed – everyone played a ton, and the game was never really a contest, despite the relatively close score.”
Tyson Qiodravu won the Golds defesive all-star award, and Ben Novakowski took home the tournament MVP award for the Golds.
