Fresh off their first-ever city senior boys title, the Steveston-London Sharks have a chance to make more history Wednesday afternoon when the Lower Mainland AAA Championships resume at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
A semi-final win over Windermere will lock up the Sharks’ first-ever provincial berth since the school opened nine years ago. The Vancouver champion is coming off a 67-63 overtime win against rival Lord Byng, while top seed Steveston-London cruised to the final four with an 87-39 victory over Gladstone.
The teams met at the Sharks’ own Bob Carkner Classic back in early January with the hosts prevailing 85-66. Tip-off is slated for 2:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, two other Richmond teams will be squaring off at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in a do-or-die backdoor encounter.
The McMath Wildcats will be looking for their third win of the season over the McNair Marlins to keep their provincial tournament hopes alive. The teams met two weeks ago in the semi-finals of the Richmond playoffs with the Wildcats prevailing 75-66 in a hard-fought battle.
The Marlins are coming off a heartbreaking 75-74 quarter-final loss to third seed Byrne Creek. McNair gave the province’s fourth ranked AAA team all it could handle as it continues its strong play over the second half of the season.
The ninth ranked Wildcats were bounced into the consolation bracket after falling 98-56 to No. 5 St. Thomas More. McMath had opened the Mainlands with an 82-51 win over Tupper, while the Marlins rolled past John Oliver 87-83.
The winner of the McMath/McNair match-up would play the loser of the Steveston-London/Windermere game on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. with a B.C. berth on the line.
The Lower Mainland AAA Championships conclude Friday with the final slated for 6:15 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Lower Mainland AA Championships tipped Monday at the Oval and two Richmond teams remain in contention.
Third seed RC Palmer Griffins opened play with a 91-60 win over Britannia and will now face No. 2 St Patricks in the semi-finals tonight at 6:15 p.m. No. 4 seed Cambie Crusaders got past No. 5 Notre Dame 86-73 to set up their final four tilt with top seed King George tonight at 8 p.m.
King George advanced by defeating No. 8 seed Richmond Christian 88-53.
The championship game is slated for Thursday at 8 p.m. Two B.C. berths are up for grabs.
