The Isfeld Ice senior boys basketball team opened their 2015-16 season with a successful weekend in Victoria at the Parkland/Mount Douglas Tip Off Tournament.
The Ice went undefeated at the six-team event to share top spot with Mount Douglas: both teams finished 3-0.
Isfeld faced #2 ranked Lambrick Park Lions in the first game and after being down 10 at the half 44-34 outscored Lambrick by 15 in the second half to win 71-66.
Noah Kaefer led the Ice with 39 and Jordan Messana added 10. The Ice were able to come back by outscoring the Lions 18-11 down the stretch.
On Saturday they faced an athletic Edward Milne team and immediately went down 4-0. After that the Ice outscored Milne 45-12 for the rest of the half on their way to a 70-21 victory. Kaefer had 16, Jeppe Madsen added 12 and Hank Magdanz, Marquis Ng and Anthony Brown each added eight.
In the late game Saturday the Ice took on co-host Parkland. Fatigue played a part as the Ice struggled to score early on quality opportunities.
Defence proved to be the difference as the Ice led 22-4 after one quarter, 34-15 at half, 46-21 at the end of three and the final was 69-38. Kaefer again led the Ice scoring with 29 and Magdanz added 14. "It was, however, a tremendous defensive effort that allowed the Ice to prevail," noted coach Tom Elwood.
This week Isfeld hosts its own tournament with #3 ranked Brentwood and #6 ranked Shawnigan as the two feature teams. Play goes from 11:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday.