The Highland Raiders senior boys basketball team had a solid performance in a double-A league game against the Trailblazers, Tuesday at Nanaimo Christian School, winning 49-39.
The home team hit the boards first with a pair of well-placed two-pointers, but it wasn’t long before the Raiders answered. Highland took the lead early in the second quarter and never looked back.
Josh Taylor scored 15 points, proving he’s on the road to recovery following an injury in last week’s game against Kwalikum. Will Derksen, the team’s highest scorer, contributed 13 points. Top scorer of the game was Renzo Martinez with 16 points.
The team will be facing change in the weeks to come when Martinez, an exchange student in addition to being one of the team’s most consistent players, returns to his home country of Mexico. Martinez, who has been playing basketball since he was in Grade 6, will continue attending his school, Colegio Angeles de Puebla, and will focus on university.
He was asked whether his plans for the future include basketball.
“If I have the opportunity (to play basketball in the future) I will take the chance,” said Martinez, always the opportunist.
His departure will leave the team without a seasoned point guard as Luke Yeo remains off due to injury.
Forward Owen Chatterson and guard Sam Ezzy are being brought up from the junior team. They will learn the plays and helps thicken up the team as it finishes the season.
The Raiders host their final league game against Kwalikum on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Highland’s gymnasium.
