Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart (ISN)
December 14, 2017, Victoria, BC (ISN) – Caelan Scott poured in 22 points and two other players hit double figures, as the number one ranked Oak Bay Bays cruised past the Cowichan Thunderbirds 106-54 in the opening game of the 10th annual Gary Taylor Classic High School Basketball Tournament Thursday afternoon at Oak Bay High in Victoria.
Also hitting double figures for the Bays in the cake-walk were Cameron Henderson with 15 and Diego Maffia, with 12. In a game that saw considerable contribution from the Oak Bay bench, all players contributed to the scoresheet, with four other players scoring nine points in the game.
For Cowichan, Jaden Bhopal led the way with 22 points, while Pablo de Garaizabal Rafiq contributed 17 in the losing effort.
The Bays are now the number one ranked 4A senior boys basketball team on the Island and in the province, after breezing their way through the Tsumura Basketball Invitational last week on the Lower Mainland, where they won their opener 94-48 over North Delta and then easily won the next three games, including a 86-68 win over Holy Cross in the final. They also opened their Tier 1 South Island League schedule with a convincing 97-45 win over Mount Douglas last Tuesday.
They will be tough to beat on their own home court this weekend, but next to attempt it will be the St. Thomas More Collegiate Knights, who defeated the St. Michaels University (SMUS) Blue Jags 55-43 in game two action Thursday. The Bays and Knights meet on Friday night at 7:30 pm, while the Blue Jags move on to play Cowichan in the consolation round at 4:00 pm Friday.
In other action Thursday, Vancouver College defeated Lambrick Park, while Alberta’s Sir Winston Churchill knocked off the Belmont Bulldogs. Vancouver College and Churchill now meet in Friday’s second semi-final at 5:45 pm, while Lambrick and Belmont tip-off in the consolation semis at 2:15 pm.
Saturday action will see the Senior bronze medal game go at 2:30 pm, while the Senior final is at 6:00 pm. The Junior final goes at 4:15 pm.
All games take place at the main gym (Gary Taylor Court) at Oak Bay High in Victoria.
