Vanier Secondary’s senior boys basketball team beat Wellington 79-45 at home Tuesday. Wellington Secondary is a triple-A rival from Nanaimo.
Having a league game so close to an emotional Towhee Tournament is always dangerous — and coach Larry Street was skeptical on what the Towhees would bring to this important league game.
“Wellington is always feisty and well coached, and they didn’t disappoint in this game,” Street said. “The big problem for them, though, was the athleticism and size Vanier portrayed at the beginning of the game.”
The Towhees sprinted out to a 16-0 start. The quarter-time score was 21-6 for Vanier. All players got into the first half and all contributed to a very tough half-court defence.
The third quarter stayed basket for basket with Vanier maintaining a 20-point lead, and playing all players evenly.
The start of the fourth quarter sealed the game, with the starters going on a quick 10-point run and Wellington getting more frustrated.
Big man Peter Greaves (6’8”) led with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jakob Tortorelli had 14 points and four steals. Macyn Leopkey-Johnson and a greatly improved Brayden Waugh each chipped in 11 points.
Vanier’s next competition is the annual Cambie Tournament Jan. 17-19 in Richmond. The Towhees are the two-time defending tournament champion. The team opened the tourney Thursday with a 109-58 victory over McRoberts of Richmond.