Two Burnaby schools are hoping to finish strong at the B.C. boys basketball provincial championships this weekend.
The Burnaby South Rebels and St. Thomas More Collegiate Knights lost their quarterfinal matches on Thursday, March 7, and can now place as high as fifth at the 4A and 3A tournaments respectively.
The seventh-ranked Rebels fell 86-66 to the number-two seed Spectrum Community School (Victoria), while the Knights, also seventh, were downed by the #2 Dover Bay Dolphins (Nanaimo) by a score of 89-65.
Both teams currently hold a 1-1 record after the first two days of provincials. This means the local squads are guaranteed to finish in the top eight of the 16-team events in Langley.
Burnaby South's offense has been led by junior Keoni Sacco with 46 points in two games, including a game-high 25 against Spectrum.
As well, senior Lordrikk Gutierrez has helped the Rebels in the paint, dropping 30 points in the team's 86-73 provincials opening victory over Lord Tweedsmuir (Surrey) on Wednesday, March 6.
The black and yellow are set to play sixth-ranked Semiahmoo today, March 8, at noon in the Arena Bowl of the Langley Events Centre (LEC).
Meanwhile, Zeru Abera has led the charge for the STM Knights since day one of the 3A tournament.
The Grade 11 guard leads the red and white's scoresheet with 52 points in the opening games of the 3A tournament, followed by Jacob Oreta with 43.
STM's next opponent is Mark R. Isfeld (Courtenay) whom, as an 11th seed, were the lone non-top eight school to advance from the opening round of any of the four senior boys basketball provincials taking place this week.
The Knights and Ice will meet today, 8:45 p.m. on the LEC south court.
