It was another epic all-Richmond battle that has the Steveston-London Sharks off to the Lower Mainland “AAA” Championship semi-finals.
The Sharks pulled out an 81-80 thriller over the McMath Wildcats to earn a final four date next Wednesday (2:45 p.m.) with the St. Thomas More Knights at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The Wildcats are a solid bet to beat Point Grey tonight and also head to the Oval in search of one of the four provincial “AAA” berths that are up for grabs.
Wednesday night’s quarter-final match-up initially raised some eyebrows.
The Wildcats were seeded No. 4 in the 12-team tournament and the Sharks were put right behind them — rather than being on the other side of the draw. It meant two teams that squared off seven days earlier for the city title would meet again.
The two-time Richmond champion Sharks looked to be in trouble when McMath raced out to a 14-point first half lead while city MVP Fardaws Aimaq and Isaiah Hunter were parked on the bench with three fouls each. However, keyed by the 23-point performance of Zach Cantwell, they shaved the deficit to 50-41 at the half then took over in the third.
Steveston-London outscored the hosts 26-12 over the 10-minute stretch with Aimaq doing much of the damage from in the paint. The young Wildcats regrouped to erase a nine-point Sharks’ lead and set the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Grade 11 standout Bryce Mason had a chance to send the game to overtime but hit two of three free throws with three seconds left.
“There is a reason why this is one of the best rivalries in B.C. right now,” smiled Steveston-London head coach Mike Stoneburgh. “I’m only 36 but I’m going to have a heart attack or be full of grey hair soon. Hats off to our kids. Twice they were down by 14, got into foul trouble and battled back.
“Zach doesn’t get enough props. He didn’t really play a lot in Grades 8-to-10 coming off the bench and barely played last season as a Grade 11. He has stepped up huge for us and is one of the key reasons we do well. He can lock people down with good defence and also attacks the hoop.”
Folllowing the heartbreaking defeat, Wildcats head coach Tony Wong-Hen was quick to remind his players that not a lot has changed. Win their next two games and they are back in position of playing off for a provincial berth.
“We weren’t happy with the draw but we still very much have a shot at it,” he said. “The parity in Richmond right now is what makes this so exciting. Basketball is a game of runs and their’s went just a little longer than ours. I’m proud of our boys. They know what it takes to win now and know they can beat these teams.”
Should Friday’s elimination games at Steveston-London go to form, all four Richmond teams will be in action at the Oval next week.
The Wildcats take on Point Grey at 8 p.m. The Richmond Colts face John Oliver at 6:15 p.m. Wins would mean the city rivals meet next Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. in another do-or-die game. The Colts fell 90-74 to STM.
The McNair Marlins take on Gladstone at 2:45 p.m. Friday after dropping a 94-71 decision to Byrne Creek.
The Lower Mainland “AA” Championships tip-off Monday at the Oval. Cambie takes on University Hill at 5:45 p.m. while Palmer/Britannia and Hugh Boyd/St. Pat’s both get underway at 7:30 p.m.
