District favourites Burnaby South Rebels and St. Thomas More Knights both moved on at their respective B.C. high school boys’ basketball championships.
South overcame a 12-point deficit in the third quarter and outlasted No. 11 Walnut Grove 83-76 in the Rebels’ opening quad A boys’ matchup at the Langley Events Centre on Wednesday.
In an otherwise closely played contest, South came back to outscore the Gators 22-19 in the pivotal third quarter.
South star guard Jermaine Haley led all scorers with 33 points and 11 rebounds, while guards Tyus Batiste and EJ Mabone chipped in with 23 and 14 points, respectively.
South’s offensive was very efficient from the floor, making good on 49.3 per cent of its 52 shot opportunities.
The Rebels were equally good from the charity stripe, with a plus-73 per cent success rate.
South played No. 3 Kelowna in the quarter-finals on Thursday (after NOW deadlines).
In 3A hoops, STM survived a scare from No. 10 Wellington 52-50 in its opening game on Wednesday.
The defending AAA provincial champions shot less than 30 per cent from the floor and were five of 30 from three-point land, but took its largest lead of the game following a 17-9 third period.
Playing with a short, seven-man bench, the Knights got 14 points from senior J.J. DesLauriers and 12 from guard Edward Ju.
“We need to be way better,” said STM head coach Aaron Mitchell.
The Knights took on No. 2 Fleetwood Park in the quarter-finals on Thursday (after Recorddeadlines).
Final placement games for all divisions will be held all day Saturday, with the AAA final at 6 p.m. and the 4A final following.
In 3A hoops, STM survived a scare from No. 10 Wellington 52-50 in its opening game on Wednesday.
The defending AAA provincial champions shot less than 30 per cent from the floor and were five of 30 from three-point land, but took its largest lead of the game following a 17-9 third period.
Playing with a short, seven-man bench, the Knights got 14 points from senior J.J. DesLauriers and 12 from guard Edward Ju.
“We need to be way better,” said STM head coach Aaron Mitchell.
The Knights took on No. 2 Fleetwood Park in the quarter-finals on Thursday (after NOW deadlines).
Final placement games for all divisions will be held all day Saturday, with the AAA final at 6 p.m. and the 4A final following.
