Chris Gallant scored with two seconds left in overtime as the Kalamalka Lakers stopped the host Seaton Sonics 66-64 in a North Zone Senior AA Boys Basketball League thriller Thursday night.
It was 39-34 Kal at the break and the teams were tied 62-62 before the three-minute extra period.
Seaton, needing a win to finish third, raced out to a 23-16 first-quarter lead. Liam MacPhee was hot early for the Sonics, with 10 first-quarter points.
Kal stormed back in the second half, getting strong performances from Gallant (12 points) and Ty Chippendale.
Lucas Ross led the Lakers with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Ajay Jhajj pocketed 13 points and 11 boards.
The 3-5 Sonics ran into foul trouble early and lost star forward Kuup Peters early in the fourth. Matt McEachearn-Law rung up five treys, including one in late regulation to forced OT.
Poor free throw shooting by the 5-3 Lakers kept the Sonics in the overtime, but two costly turnovers eventually sparked second-place Kal.
The VSS Panthers ended up third at 4-4. The North Zone playdowns start Thursday at VSS for the boys and girls.
Sage Blundell canned 21 points as the Vernon Panthers outgunned the Archbishop Carney Stars of Port Coquitlam 78-48 at the inaugural Tessa Beauchamp Memorial senior AA girls tournament Friday in Surrey.
Quinsy Leier chipped in with 15 points and five assists for the No. 10 ranked Cats, while Ashtyn McKenzie had 10 points, and Karley Fugel had nine points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots. Game star Jessica Harvey added eight points and eight rebounds.
“We had a nice start to the game which kinda got us rolling, but we are going to continue to push ourselves to be consistent,” said VSS co-coach Bobby Mitchell. “We are trying to just keep getting better and we have a chance to do that (Saturday) against No. 1 ranked Holy Cross (Crusaders).”
Beauchamp is a former Crusaders’ star who lost a four-year battle with cancer last year.
In North Zone senior AA girls league play Friday, the Kalamalka Lakers overcame a slow start to upend the Revelstoke Avalanche 69-41.
Top scorers for Kal (5-2) were Ann Stewart and Kaelyn Parmalee, each with 16 points. Jordan Korol dialed up 14 points.
The Charles Bloom Timberwolves overwhelmed the Vernon Christian Royals 76-14 in North Zone senior A girls semifinal playoff action Friday in Lumby.
Missing key players Lakeisha Rouck (out for the season due to injury) and Lisa Campeau, the T-wolves struggled to find a rhythm, but were able to capitalize on turnovers to score in the full court.
Bloom started slowly but opened up in the second quarter, going on a 24-0 run, and closed the fourth quarter by going on another big 26-0 romp.
Jessica Fraese had a breakout game for Bloom, scoring 22 points and playing a key role defensively.
“She is a strong athlete but she has been struggling with her confidence all season long,” said Bloom head coach Nathan Lee. “It was great to see her break through tonight.”
Shannon Baetschmann scored 19 points and pulled down seven boards, Josalynn Shields dropped nine points and Jessica Salzmann delivered six points and five assists.
Bloom hosted the senior boys and girls, as well as the junior boys Zone championships Saturday.
