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Caledonia Kermodes lose in basketball provincials

Coach says it was a good experience competing against strong Lower Mainland teams
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Caledonia’s Kaking Ma goes up for a layup in the Bryne Creek game last week. (John Morrow photo, Black Press)

The Caledonia Kermode senior boys lost at the AAA High School Basketball provincials last week, but coach says it was a good experience for the team.

The boys got a bye to provincials as the only triple-A team in the northwest, and in their first game, they faced #1-ranked Bryne Creek, who went on to earn silver at the tournament.

They lost 47-77, and then played played #9 ranked Clayton Heights, losing 53-80, and dropping into the consolation round.

There they faced G.P. Vanier, losing 46-67, and Carihi, losing 64-71.

But coach Joe Dominguez said the boys played well against the strong Lower Mainland.

“Teams here play these types of (higher level) games all the time, and are used to the intensity that we don’t regularly see,” said Dominguez.

READ MORE: Caledonia Kermodes jump into season

And despite the losses, the boys started well and kept within striking distance for the first half of most of their games.

It was the third and fourth quarters the more experienced teams pulled ahead.

“There’s a lot of positives to take away from each game,” said Dominguez, adding that it has raised the bar for the boys regarding the level of competition out there.

In the last game, the team’s lead scorer Solomon Johnson sprained his ankle, and Dominguez says it was good to see Jackson Netzel step up to fill that gap. Elijah Azak was steady as always and James Gagnon and Cole Oullet also gained valuable experienced and helped carry the team through the rest of that match, said Dominguez.

For more details on the tournament, visit bcboysbasketball.com.


 


jackie@terracestandard.com

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Caledonia’s Solomon Johnson fights for a rebound with a Byrne Creek player in their first game. (John Morrow photo, Black Press)