The Isfeld Ice senior boys basketball team has been heating up for playoffs by posting a sizzling 6-2 record over the past two weeks.
Coach Tom Elwood has the boys playing well heading into this weekend's North Island playoffs at Wellington in Nanaimo.
This is the tallest team the Ice has ever fielded. They rebound well and play hard-nose defence – they have held their last eight opponents to an average 45 points against.
Elwood can also go 10 or 11 men deep into his lineup, which says a lot for the hard work the team has put into this season.
This past weekend the Ice finished third at the 14-team Cedar-Woodlands tournament in Nanaimo. In their first game the boys showed off perhaps the best aspect of their game – stifling defence – as they held Nanaimo District Secondary to only three field goals in a 50-24 win.
Cole Hutchings led the way with 15 points and Richard Girard finished with 11.
Next the Ice faced host Woodlands in front of a boisterous, packed gym. Isfeld finished the game on a 10-0 run and won going away 54-48. Ben Miller and Matt Bowen led the scoring with 13 points each.
In the semifinals they battled #7 provincially ranked Wellington of Nanaimo. The Wildcats took an early lead and were up 36-21 at the break. Isfeld battled hard in the second half but could not make up the halftime deficit, falling 63-51.
Point guard Miller had another great game, leading the team with 21 points. Starting post player Joel Regher had nine points and an incredible eight blocked shots (a possible school record).
The fourth game of the tourney was for third place against Ballenas from Parksville. After a somewhat slow start the Ice put together a great third quarter, outscoring the Whalers 20-6 and winning 62-42. Miller again led the way with 14 points while Regher had 10 and Bowen added eight.
On Feb. 1-2 the Ice went 2-1 at Brentwood College's annual tournament. They met B.C. #1 AA Holy Cross from Surrey in their opener and played one of their strongest games of the season.
"A couple of breaks or bounces down the stretch could have pulled off the huge upset," a team spokesperson said. However, Holy Cross prevailed 48-44.
The Ice bounced back to defeat Mt. Doug of Victoria 62-52 and then beat Southridge. Miller was a tournament all-star.
FREE THROWS The Isfeld senior girls are hosting the North Islands this weekend ...
– Isfeld Ice Basketball