There was a brief moment Tuesday night when it looked like the McMath Wildcats might just do it again. Use another big third quarter to lead them to another electrifying victory in the pinnacle game of the 50th annual B.C. Junior Boys Invitational Basketball Championships.
Instead, it just brought out the best in the Burnaby South Rebels.
The province’s No. 1 ranked team capped an unbeaten season (34-0) with a huge 28-2 run en route to a 66-37 victory over the Wildcats — ending what had been thrilling four-day ride for the Richmond champions.
McMath’s road to the final at the Langley Events Centre included 57-56 win over defending champion St. George’s on opening day, then a 49-41 quarter-final triumph against No. 3 seed and Fraser Valley champion Yale. There were more thrills Monday when the tournament’s No. 6 seed pulled out a 69-67 overtime victory against No. 2 Vancouver College.
“When we brought it down to six, I thought we were going to win it. But that’s a very good team that matches up to our style and nothing fazes them, that’s incredible. They are very calm and that’s why they are No. 1, the champs,” said McMath’s Jon Acob — the dedicated veteran coach who was in his first provincial final after stops at several city schools over the years.
“We tried every single thing but we just didn’t have the firepower. I’m very proud of the way we played and came together as a team. The way they presented themselves. Just the grittiness and the heart. It was very good.”
The Rebels lit up the scoreboard from the perimeter — led by the 29-point performance from Jared Pineda to earn player-of-the-game and tournament MVP honours.
The first quarter was relatively competitive with Burnaby South taking a 15-10 lead after eight minutes and then extending their advantage to 13 points, 34-21 at halftime. McMath cut the lead to 38-32 early in the third quarter but a fourth consecutive comeback was not in the cards.
The two teams had met just 12 days earlier in the Vancouver and District final where the Rebels used another big run (21-2) in a 71-57 victory.
The Wildcats earned another crack at them by becoming the story of the 32-team tournament thanks to their thrilling finishes.
Elias Khan’s basket with two seconds remaining provided the difference against Vancouver College on Monday.
It had been an uphill climb much of the night for the Wildcats who trailed 17-6 in the opening quarter and were still down 43-30 in the third. That’s when McMath kicked its game into high gear — outscoring the Irish 15-4 to close out the quarter and trail by just a single point. From there, the lead changed four times before VC forced overtime by sinking one of two free throws with 14.1 seconds to go.
Standout Travis Hamberger had a chance to win it at the buzzer but was off the mark with his three-point attempt. He more than atoned for the missed shot, hitting a three-pointer to even the score at 65-65 in overtime. He then stole the ball on the ensuing possession and scored on a driving lay-up to put the Wildcats up 67-65.
His outstanding evening was completed when he passed out of a double team to find Kahn for the winning basket. Hamberger finished with 21 points while Rio Hutchful added 18.
Both were later named to the tournament first all-star team. Miguel Vargas earned second team honours.
The MacNeill Ravens closed out their fine season with a 66-55 loss to Terry Fox on Tuesday to place 16th. The Ravens were also named the tournament’s most sportsmanlike team.
