The Vanier Towhees dropped a 78-62 decision to the Semiahmoo Totems in senior boys basketball action Saturday night in Courtenay.
The White Rock team's top scorer was the son of former Highland Raiders star and University of Victoria five-year champion Dave Sheehan. His son Skylar topped all scorers with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
Equally as good a scorer for Vanier was Scott Stevens with 32 points. "Both players were checking each other and it was a treat to see them both work so hard," said Towhees' coach Larry Street.
"Unfortunately the Totems had three other good players who scored 16 and 14 points and our next best scorers had six and five points. Great crowd, entertaining game, but too many mistakes by the Towhees," Street said.
The Towhees will have to work hard – and quickly – to eliminate those mistakes as their season heads toward playoffs. They played Dover Bay in a league game Feb. 5 in Nanaimo with result unavailable at press time.
This weekend they are back in Nanaimo for the Cedar Tournament. They met the host Spartans on Thursday afternoon, play two games today, then wrap things up Saturday.
The Courtenay cagers final home game is Tuesday, Feb. 12 when the Alberni Armada sails into the Vanier gym for a 7 p.m. league tilt. This is Seniors Night where Grade 12 players Lucas Falconer, Joaquin Paterna, Scott Stevens, Gryphon Vester and Jaron Piercy will be acknowledged for their contributions.
Also part of the evening will be the Boston Pizza Hoop Shoot for elementary school players.
North Island playoffs go Feb. 22-23 at Cowichan in Duncan, followed by the Island championships Feb. 28 to March 2 at Mt. Doug in Victoria. The top two Island teams advance to the 20-team B.C. championships March 12-16 at the Langley Events Centre.