The G.P. Vanier Towhees hosted the Semiahmoo Totems, a tall, athletic team from White Rock on Saturday night, and everyone who saw this Quad A senior boys basketball match-up witnessed a highly entertaining exhibition tilt.
High-scoring and fast, the Totems used their length to force many Vanier turnovers and convert them into fast break layups throughout the game. This form of scoring was the difference in the fourth quarter where the Towhees came within three points early on but eventually fell 84-68.
Joss Biggins did his best to keep the game close, pouring in 29 points, grabbling 10 rebounds (four off the offensive boards) and shooting 10-of-16 from the foul line. Skylar Sheehan led Semiahmoo with 26 attacking points and some skilled athletic plays.
Vanier head coach Larry Street noted Sheehan's father David played for Larry Peterson at Highland in 1980 with the likes of Stevie Knight, Reed Wharton and James Shepherd. "Larry organized a small reunion of this team for Saturday night and the local coaching legend was tickled by the response of his former team members," Street said.
For Vanier, Foster Dewitt grabbed nine rebounds while Colton Derycke chipped in 11 points while distributing four assists. Jakob Jungwirth added nine points.
"But again, we must fix our turnover ratio down the stretch for three big league games and the playoffs, which start at Vanier on Feb. 21 and 22," Street said.
On Tuesday night the Towhees play a league game at Dover Bay in Nanaimo. Next week they host two big final league matches, Feb. 11 (Cowichan) and Feb. 13 (Port Alberni).
Game time is 7 p.m. both nights, and Feb. 13 is also Seniors Night. "Come on out and support your local Towhees," Street said.
FREE THROWS Graduating Towhees being honoured on Seniors Night include Harry Li, Colton Derycke, Jordan Balon, Jakob Jungwirth, Isaac Ng, Joss Biggins and Foster Dewitt …
– G.P. Vanier Towhees