Great crowd, great game, close score.
Tuesday at Vanier Secondary, the triple A Towhees senior boys basketball team hosted Courtenay rival Mark Isfeld, a AA team, in North Island league play.
It was a close game throughout, with the visiting Ice up 34-33 at the half. At one point Vanier was down 16 points, but the Towhees came roaring back early in the fourth to take a one-point lead with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Cool and calm Grade 9 Aiden MacDonald of Isfeld drove the lane with less than 10 seconds in the game to draw and foul. He sunk two baskets, giving Isfeld a 62-61 win.
“Vanier’s last-second catch and tip-in failed, so Isfeld got a well-deserved win,” Vanier coach Larry Street said. “Well coached, and feisty.”
Thaskani Mtawali of the Ice was all over the court the entire game. He scored 17 points. MacDonald had 15.
Levi Timmermans of Vanier scored 25 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Riley Meyerhoff had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and captain Kyle Piercy chipped in six points, six steals, six assists and six rebounds.
Vanier has two league games remaining. If they win, there could be a three-way tie for first place between Isfeld, Vanier and Carihi of Campbell River.
“Points difference may be the determining factor,” Street said.
The next and last home game for Vanier is Friday, Feb. 9 against John Barsby of Nanaimo. Tip off is 7:30 p.m. This will also be the graduating Seniors’ Night.
North Island playoffs are in Port Alberni Feb. 15-17.