Caledonia Senior boys basketball season started with two games at Smithers Secondary Nov. 28.
In the first game, the Kermodes were up against the Smithers Gryphons who were missing their two top players because they were at the boys volleyball provincials.
Kermodes controlled the whole game and coasted to a 75 - 31 victory.
Kermodes were led in scoring by Gabe Johnson with 28 points, Tristan Walker with 10, Mason Kroeker with 10 and Ryan Kunar with 10.
In the late game, the Kermodes took on the Mount Elizabeth Eagles from Kitimat.
Once again the Kermodes led from start to finish, cruising to a 70 - 27 victory.
Strong performances came from Tristan Walker and Gabe Johnson, each potting 17 points and Ryan Kunar with 14.
Last weekend, the Kermodes were in Vanderhoof at the Nechako Valley Invitational tournament before returning home for their first home games of the season this weekend, Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13.
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The team travelled to Vanderhoof with a small team of eight players last weekend to compete in the Nechako Valley Invitational tournament and put up a good fight with several close matches.
The first game against the AAAA Prince George Polars was a tight game throughout. Kermodes led 26 – 20 at the quarter but the Polars took the lead going into the half at 48 – 43.
The Kermodes surged back to take the lead but could not sustain it as they went into the 4th quarter down 73 – 66.
The fourth quarter saw one lead change before the Kermodes could not find the answer and fell to defeat 96 – 88.
Leading the Kermodes on the scoresheet were Gabe Johnso with 22, Tristan Walker 19, Mason Kroeker 15 and Ryan Kunar with 11. Walker was named player of the game.
Game two found the Kermodes up against the Cougars of College Heights.
The Kermodes took an early lead and did not look back, winning 60 – 38.
Unfortunately, during this game Grade 11 forward Clark Matthews incurred a leg injury and could not play for the rest of the tournament.
Leading scorers for the Kermodes were Gabe Johnson with 23, Tristan Walker 15, and Mason Kroeker 13.
Down to seven players the Kermodes faced the Duchess Park Condors of Prince George in the consolation final.
The Kermodes came out strong, with Walker potting 14 first-half points and the Kermodes taking a 31 – 19 lead going into the second half.
The Condors persisted though and wore the Kermodes down as they used their 14-man team to press the weary Kermodes.
The Condors completed their comeback to take the lead 53 – 52 with .6 seconds left in the game on a shot from just inside the half court line.
That’s when the Kermodes ended up calling a timeout and ran a play that ended up with a foul being assessed on a Duchess Park player. That put Gabe Johnson on the line where he promptly tied the game, but missed the second foul shot to send the game into OT.
The Kermodes by this time were gassed and eventually fell 58 – 55 in a scrappy over time period.
Kermodes next games are this weekend at home against the Nechako Valley Vikings, currently ranked 7th provincially in the AA rankings.