The Burnaby South Rebels have momentum on their side.
With recent provincial rankings putting the squad fifth overall, the Rebels are entering the high stakes portion of the playoffs with incentive and urgency.
They delivered in the first stage this week, capturing the Burnaby-New West league title with a 62-30 triumph over the Burnaby North Vikings.
Led by a sharp-shooting offence, Burnaby South built up a formidable 40-12 lead at halftime, with all-star Brady Lau scoring 19 of his 23 points during the first 16 minutes.
The Rebels maintained that lead after three quarters, with a 51-22 advantage with eight minutes to play.
Jaymarc Bowayan contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Zach Chan chipped in seven points, four assists and three steals, earning an all-star honour in the process.
Burnaby South, which went 8-0 in the regular season, slipped past a feisty Alpha Aztecs in the semifinal 44-38. Lau led the way with 18 points, while Chau contributed 15 points and Isaiah Prasad added 11.
The Aztecs defeated Burnaby Central in the third-place battle 76-61.
North had advanced to the final by topping the Wildcats 56-39.
On the junior girls side, Burnaby Mountain Lions served up an upset in the league final, topping the previously undefeated Rebels 62-32.
Although the Rebels were 6-0 in league play, the Lions were right on their heels at 5-1, and gave Burnaby South a very strong test in their one encounter, falling 59-52 three weeks ago.
In the third-place game, New West edged out Byrne Creek 47-32.
