The Isfeld Ice senior boys’ basketball team won the 64th annual Totem Classic in convincing fashion with an 85-59 win over Reynolds of Victoria in the final. The tourney ran Jan. 10-12 in Port Alberni.
Isfeld opened the game on an 18-3 run and never looked back. Ian Rutledge hit five threes in the first half on his way to 19 points. Thaskani Mtawali had 31 points for the game and was named tournament MVP. Aiden McDonald scored 12 and was named to the all-tournament team. Dawson Fox went four for six from the three-point line for 12 as well. Jacob Volkers was named player-of-the-game for his outstanding defensive work.
In the tournament semifinal, the Ice rolled to a 67-39 win over Stelly’s. Thaskani led four players in double figures with 22, McDonald and Temwa Mtawali each added 13, and Fox scored 12. The game was never in doubt as the Ice led 21-6 after one quarter and 41-11 at the break. McDonald was named player-of-the-game in the semifinal.
In Friday’s opening round, Isfeld played an athletic Spectrum squad, winning 81-56. McDonald hit four threes in the first quarter alone to outscore the entire Spectrum squad by himself with 14-12. He ended up with 31 for the game. Temwa added 16 and was selected player-of-the-game.
On a side note, Isfeld graduate Tyler Olsen coaches Reynolds. Hank Magdanz and Davis Malton, who also played basketball at Isfeld, coach the Stelly’s team.
The Ice — who have yet to lose a game this season — competes at the annual Firefighter tournament this weekend in Esquimalt.