The Alberni District Secondary School Armada senior boys basketball team still have fight in them despite going 0-3 at Totem 57.
The Armada were dispatched by Reynolds Secondary and Stelly’s Secondary before losing to the Kwalikum Kondors 75-51 in Saturday’s boys division feature game.
Nerves and an ADSS gym filled to capacity got to the team, head coach Neelam Parmar said. “They kept fighting, trying and didn’t back down,” Parmar said. “In my mind they left it all on the floor and finished on a solid note in the last Totem at the old high school.”
In Saturday’s feature game, the Armada were game but they were initially overwhelmed by the Kondors, whom coach Neelam Parmar likened to the Phoenix Suns with the speed and swarming defence.
The Kondors 2-3 zone defense bogged down the Armada. And, lead by guard Kevin Frampton, the Kondors drew three quick fouls on Armada mainstay Josh Kurucz, who sat out long stretches of the first half.
In the third quarter, the Armada freed up Kurucz and tightened up the defense, and outscored the Kondors 15-12 in the third quarter. They scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to the Kondors 12 but it wasn’t enough as the Kondors took the game 63-42.
The loss against the Kondors was still a win Parmar said. “They beat us by 60 last time but only by 20 this time.”
Kurucz and teammate Luke Bradley scored 10 points each in the game. Kurucz’s ball movement, defense and leadership earned him an all star team nomination.
The Armada’s other games against Reynolds, but in particular the 71-61 loss to Stelly’s were within reach. “We showed that we could lock down their scorer (tourney MVP Gary Chen),” Parmar said. “They couldn’t stop Josh, though.”
Parmar also singled out the play of junior call up Luke Bradley, who quietly played a stellar game against Kwalikum. “He’s a beast and is tough to move in the post,” Parmar said. “He got some key rebounds, put backs and steals as well.”
It’s back to the gym this week where Parmar and co-coach Ryan Broekhuizen will continue to simplify the offense and defense.
The Armada play their first league game against Ballenas on Tuesday, and they are playing at an eight team tournament in Victoria this weekend.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
