Princess Margaret’s senior boys basketball team has qualified for the South Central valley championship in Kamloops.
On Thursday evening, the Mustangs faced the South Okanagan Secondary Hornets and lost 78-60.
Mustangs coach Russ Reid said it was a hard fought battle.
“The referees let our teams play “Big East” basketball — physical, in your face defence, bodies flying everywhere,” he said. “It was one of the most entertaining and intense games of basketball we have been involved in all year.”
Reid credited the Hornets for making some tough baskets in the fourth quarter. He also said the Hornets’ Greet Gill was the difference. Leading the Mustangs offensively were Brayden Hearne with 21 points, while Mitch Brodt, Jarett Cantelon and Mauro Patterson each scored eight points.
On Wednesday evening, the Mustangs defeated the Okanagan Mission Huskies 65-47 to face the Hornets. After trailing the first half 31-22, the Mustangs exploded for 24 points in the third quarter. In the final quarter, Justin Cantelon dropped back-to-back three point shots to cement the win. Hearne led the team in scoring with 23 points, thanks to a strong game in the key. Justin Cantelon had 17 points, with all but two from three-point range.
The Mustangs will compete in the valley championship Feb. 23 to 25 as the lower seed. The focus for the Mustangs in preparation will be on fundamentals, rebounding and half court sets.
