The Dover Bay Dolphins made it all the way to B.C. final before falling to the province’s No. 1 team.
Dover Bay Secondary School’s senior AAA boys earned silver at high school basketball provincials last week at the Langley Events Centre.
The Dolphins lost 91-80 to the reigning-champion St. Patrick Celtics in the final Saturday, March 11.
Dover led the game early even after their star player Luke Linder badly injured his ankle in the game’s opening moments. He had been averaging 45 points per game through the tournament, and he toughed it out and played hurt in the final, finishing with 22 points.
“The pain was so bad post-game that he had to be carried on stage to receive his silver medal and all-star award,” noted a tournament press release.
Luke’s younger brother Frank Linder led the Dolphins with 25 points in the final and was chosen a second-team all-star.
“What a great season with dedicated, hard working and gritty players,” the Dover Bay team posted on social media the next day, thanking supporters.
READ ALSO: Dover Bay senior boys win Island hoops championship
Three other Nanaimo senior boys’ basketball teams also participated in provincial championships. The Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers senior A boys were able to win bronze medals as they defeated the Aberdeen Hall Gryphons 90-71 in Saturday’s bronze-medal game.
NCS player Calvin Vanderkooi was selected as the tournament’s Best Defensive Player and teammate Jackson Tonsi was chosen a second-team all-star.
In the senior AA boys’ brackets, the John Barsby Bulldogs came close to a provincial medal, as they lost to the Westsyde Whundas in double-overtime of the bronze-medal game by a final score of 100-89.
Barsby’s Jonny Durkan was selected as a first-team all-star and teammate Cohen Cadieux was chosen a second-team all-star.
The other Nanaimo senior boys’ basketball team at provincials in Langley was the Wellington Wildcats, who finished 13th in AAA competition.
READ ALSO: Nanaimo Christian School boys win Island championship on home court
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