Both the Byrne Creek Bulldogs and St. Thomas More Knights are one-win away from clinching a berth to the B.C. AAA senior boys championships.
And the only one standing in their way is each other.
Both the Bulldogs and Knights advanced to the Lower Mainland semifinals with huge wins on Wednesday.
Seeded No. 2 in the tournament, Byrne Creek held on to eke out a tight 75-74 victory over No. 7 McNair, while St. Thomas More, seeded 3rd, rumbled to a 98-66 shellacking of R.A. McMath.
On paper, the Bulldogs had the easier test, and on two occasions pulled ahead by 16 only to see McNair scratch back within striking distance.
“We led the entire game,” remarked Byrne head coach Bal Dhillon. “Give credit to McNair, they played hard and didn’t take anything for granted.”
He admitted the game was "stressful" but said more of the same should be expected, even if the winning continues.
"The thing we take away from this game is that it's suppose to be tight in February."
Luca Bonamicci led the way with 20 points.
In St. Thomas More’s decision, it was apparent from the get-go that the Knights were ramped up and ready, steaming ahead to a 11-0 lead.
“I was saying to our assistant coach that we have yet to have a break-out game,” recalled Knights coach Aaron Mitchell. “To have the players get that ‘Ah-ha’ moment and see it in their eyes was good to see.”
The squad, despite their youth, meshed well against the No. 6-seed McMath.
"Ninety-eight is a lot of points for us," said Mitchell.
Richard Galicia led STM’s point parade with 22, while three others cranked in 14 or more.
While not do-or-die, Wednesday’s match-up gives one team a prime, early seat. Both squads want it badly.
“These teams match-up nicely and STM is very well-coached,” said Dhillon. “Our guys will have to bring it.”
Mitchell concurred.
"I think in retrospect you don't want to lose the game (next week) but now we know we're one win from going (to the provincials)," he said. "Both teams will come in excited and ready to go."
The semifinal goes Feb. 24, 4:30 p.m. at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
