A long and successful playoff journey finished nearly the same way it started for the McMath Wildcats and McNair Marlins senior boys basketball teams.
The Richmond rivals closed out the B.C. AAA Championships on Saturday morning at the Langley Events Centre by squaring off for the third time in four weeks — this time in consolation play with the Wildcats coming away with an 84-62 victory. The teams initially met in the semi-finals of the city championships (67-54 McMath win) and then again in the third place game of the Lower Mainland Tournament, won by the Marlins 84-79. Both were making their first provincial appearance in a decade and fell out of contention with hard-fought opening round losses.
The Marlins took a 39-26 lead into the second half of their game against the Wellington Wildcats, only to be outscored by 30 points in a 74-57 loss. McNair managed just six points in the third quarter and 12 in the fourth. Richmond League MVP Royce Sergeant managed 23 points, while Kevin Yang added 15 and Owen Vint 14. The result meant back-to-back 8:30 a.m. tip offs in the loser’s bracket as the Marlins dropped a 73-67 decision to the North Peace Oscars, before rebounding with a 71-63 victory over Samuel Robertson. Sergeant led the way with 23 points as the contest was tight from start to finish. Grade 11 post Gurjivan Grewal added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Playing without the services of Sergeant, Yang had 21 in the loss to North Peace. Grewal had another double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds.
The outlook also looked promising for the Wildcats in their opening game until the Vernon Panthers outscored them by 10 points in the final quarter for a 68-62 victory. Anthony Demch had 24 points and Thaddaues Melaku added 20.
The Steveston school then dropped a 51-49 heartbreaker to the Fleetwood Park Dragons as its fourth quarter rally just fell short. Melaku scored a team-high 15 points.
The Wildcats broke into the win column with a 70-56 triumph Thursday over Nelson’s LV Rogers Bombers. Demch led the way with a game-high 24 points as his team opened up a 24-11 after one quarter to take control.
Saturday’s season finale saw four Wildcats hit for double figures, led by 13 from Will Sherrett and 12 from Demch. Mark Vargas added 11 and Jason Vargas 11. Grewal closed out an impressive tournament with 18 for McNair.
