The Isfeld Ice senior boys high school basketball team completed a tough four-game stretch in 48 hours, going 3-1.
On Thursday the Ice wrapped up league play with a 66-31 win over Timberline of Campbell River. This is the fourth consecutive year that Isfeld has gone unbeaten in league play. Noah Kaefer led the Ice with 22, Nic Xylinas added 13 and Davis Malton chipped in with 12.
On Friday the Ice travelled to the prestigious "Countdown to Playoffs" tournament hosted by Brentwood College and Shawnigan Lake. In the opening round Isfeld faced a much-bigger Windsor team, coming out on top 61-58. The Ice controlled the pace of play for the entire game and ground out a tough win by out-rebounding the bigger Dukes. Kaefer had 24 and Xylinas added 18.
Less than two hours later the Ice had to play SMUS of Victoria. SMUS was victorious 61-24. Kaefer had 10 for the exhausted Ice.
On Saturday Isfeld faced a tough McNally squad from Edmonton. Once again the Ice controlled the tempo of the game and out-rebounded the larger and physically bigger Kodiaks from Alberta.
After leading for the entire game McNally took the lead by two with 3:23 left in the game. Xylinas went to work, scoring eight of Isfeld's final nine points, including the game winning shot in traffic with 8.5 seconds left, to secure a 61-59 win. Xylinas led the team in scoring with 23 and was selected to the All Tournament team, while Kaefer added 20.
The Ice are off this week and take their 15-5 record into the Police Tournament in Campbell River Feb. 13-14 before hosting the North Islands on Feb. 17-18.
– Isfeld Ice Basketball