It was only an exhibition game, but the outcome seemed to matter to both teams on Thursday.
The Wellington Wildcats and Woodlands Eagles played hard at the Woodlands Secondary School gym, with the ’Cats finally securing the victory in overtime, 67-63.
Nate Brown scored a game-high 31 points for Wellington, Andrew Miller had 17 and Travis Mickelson scored 10.
Theo Stewart led Woodlands’ offence with 27 points, Joey Sabo scored 16 and Mike Skoropad added 13.
The Eagles held a lead with time running down, but Brown said his team doesn’t get discouraged in those situations.
“We know we have to play better, so we keep positive, don’t worry about any of the calls, just play as hard as you can,” he said.
The senior AAA ’Cats tied the score with a minute left and had a chance at a buzzer-beating win over their senior AA opponents. Instead they had to settle for overtime at 57-57.
“We knew we had the momentum,” Brown said.
Thursday’s matchup was the second half of a doubleheader at the Woodlands gym, as the Eagles girls held on for a 36-25 victory over the Isfeld Ice in senior AA girls’ league play.
Emma Seward ended up as the Eagles’ top scorer and Katherine Coupland also chipped in offensively.
The Dover Bay Dolphins senior AAA boys took on the Handsworth Royals in exhibition action at home Friday, coming out on top of a 65-57 score. Jason McKee led the home squad with 14 points.
Dover coach Mark Simpson said it was a good game against a good team and was close right until the end.
“We need to get more games like that,” he said.
The Dolphins remain ranked No. 1 in Vancouver Island AAA boys top-10 rankings while the Wildcats dropped from No. 6 to No. 7.
In AA boys rankings, the Cedar Spartans remain No. 5 and the Woodlands Eagles are No. 8.
GAME ON … There are no games today (Jan. 25) as high school teams take a study break. The Eagles girls, however, get back on the court Thursday (Jan. 27) for a league game against Brentwood at 5 p.m. at the Woodlands Secondary School gym.