With the North Island championships looming, Nanaimo’s high school basketball teams are all trying to get in playoff form.
A slate of games was played in the city and around the Island on Tuesday night.
The premier game was the Dover Bay Dolphins against the Wellington Wildcats in senior AAA boys’ action at the Wellington gym. The Dolphins won 51-34, led by Seme Rabeh’s 15 points. Rory Bell added 11 points for Dover. Wellington’s offence was led by Sheldon Daynes, who scored 10 points.
The Dover girls, meanwhile, played against Frances Kelsey on Tuesday at the Dover Bay Secondary School gym and demolished the opposition 81-36. Jamie Bassett scored 25 points for the Dolphins girls but 11 different players chipped in offence.
"All the kids got to play and score," said Walter Fields, Dover coach. "It's good for morale."
An all-Nanaimo matchup took place at Woodlands Secondary School, where the Eagles senior AA boys defeated the Barsby Blazers by 12 points. Jordan Hansen, Theo Stewart and Joey Sabo were the top scorers for the Eagles.
"We're all looking forward to the post-season and excited for the North Islands," said Joey Spillman, Eagles coach.
Another all-local matchup was played at the Cedar Community Secondary School gym, where the Woodlands Eagles defeated the Cedar Spartans senior AA girls 53-44. Woodlands' Ksenia Malenica led all scorers with 18 points. Megan Cawthorne and Alicia Stone each scored 10 for the Spartans, who were playing a bit short-handed.
"We had a small group playing last night. It's pretty tough," said Launa Gannon, Cedar's coach. "We're trying to plug away and try to get healthy and ready to go."
Also in action were the Wellington Wildcats senior girls, who visited Highland and won 47-36. A strong second quarter saw the ’Cats outscore the Raiders 29-9.
"Then it all broke down, so thank goodness we had that lead," said Nicole McRae, Wellington's coach.
Mariah Van Sickle led the Wildcats with 15 points and Jordyn Hrenyk added 14.
The Nanaimo District Islanders senior AAA girls played the Ballenas Whalers at Parksville on Tuesday and lost 59-28. Leigh Richardson scored all but two of the baskets for ND.
The Barsby Blazers senior AA girls closed out their season with a home loss against Kwalikum. Marcee Greene and Jenna Keen played well offensively. Coach April White said she wished the team had been able to get an earlier start this year, but said she enjoyed working with the girls.
"They're great," said the coach. "They improved drastically."
COURT SHORTS … Most teams are now finished their regular-season schedules and North Islands will get underway Jan. 17-19. Dover Bay Secondary School gym will host the senior AAA girls' tournament, Kwalikum will host the senior AA boys' North Islands and Brentwood hosts the senior AA girls' North Islands. Wellington Secondary School will host the senior AAA boys' North Island championships Feb. 24-26.
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