Mark Isfeld Ice senior boys basketball team was red hot at the Esquimalt Fire Fighters Invitational, winning the event for the third consecutive year.
The Ice scored an impressive 69-52 victory over Glenlyon Norfolk of Victoria in the final. Logan Benninger, tournament MVP, hit nine threes in the first half to pace the Ice to a 35-22 lead.
With Isfeld up 48-30 in the middle of the third quarter they went on a 10-0 run to seal the game. Jordan Messana added 17 and was voted Best Defensive Player of the tournament while Thaskani Mtawali contributed 10 points and was on the first team All Tournament team.
In the tournament semifinal the Ice beat Oak Bay B 67-36. Isfeld used a dominating defence along with timely shooting to get up big early and maintain the lead throughout the game.
Benninger hit six threes (accounting for all 18 of his points) while the Mtawali brothers contributed 29 combined points with Thaskani getting 19 and Mahara going for 10.
In the opening round Friday Isfeld had a rematch with Reynolds from the week before. There was no let down as the Ice coasted to a 61-41 win. Benninger hit for 18, Anthony Xylinas added 15 and Thaskani Mtawali chipped in with 10.
A much-improved defensive effort from the week before allowed the Ice to hold leads of 16-5 after the first, 29-12 at the half and 35-22 after three quarters.
The Ice are on the road this week for a series of league and exhibition games. They played Tuesday at Alberni (result unavailable at press time), visit Timberline today (Thursday) then on the weekend are at Nanaimo District.