If this is the crossroads in the senior boys high school basketball season, it’s apparent that both Byrne Creek and St. Thomas More do not need a GPS.
The 3-A schools are one win away from clinching a berth to the provincials, thanks to strong victories on Wednesday.
The Byrne Creek Bulldogs began the Lower Mainlands by clipping McNair 94-71, while the St. Thomas More Knights stopped Richmond 90-74.
STM, ranked third in the latest B.C. ratings, grabbed the lead on Grade 12 post player Cam Morris’ game-opening trey and never looked back.
It was almost midway through the first quarter before Richmond got on the scoreboard, with the Knights up 20-3.
Morris counted 20 of his 22 points in the first half, while Grade 11 forward Sajjun Shokar also tallied 22 points.
The Knights will play No. 4-ranked Steveston-London on Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. at the Richmond Oval. In two earlier meetings, STM came out on top, most recently two weeks ago by 19 points.
“They did some things differently the second time against us," remarked STM coach Aaron Mitchell of the Sharks. "But for us the key is focusing on our gameplan and not getting caught up on what they're doing.
"We'll make adjustments and react during the game... We’re a veteran team so nothing should really throw us off. That said, it’s hard to beat a team three times.”
The No. 6-ranked Bulldogs also gained the upperhand quickly against McNair, leading 34-20 after the first quarter.
Leading the way was Abdul Bangura with 28 points, while Martin Djunga scored 21 and Bithow Wan chipped in 18. Djunga also tallied 11 boards.
“We have played McNair every year,” said Bulldogs coach Bal Dhillon. “They are well coached and not a team you can trust even with an 18-point lead. They never quit and they are very talented.”
The main difference this time was how the Bulldogs held the line.
"I was very, very worried going into the game... Definitely, defensive intensity won it," added Dhillon. "It wasn't like for the full game but for a couple of quarters we tightened up on defense and held them off."
Byrne Creek faces No. 9 Lord Byng at 4:30 p.m. next Wednesday at the Richmond Oval, in a showdown that will require an equal if-not-better effort.
"(Byng) is big, they spent a few weeks ranked No. 1 (in B.C.), so it's like every game at this time -- a dogfight."
In 4-A Lower Mainland play, provincial hopes hinge on wins today (Friday) for four Burnaby teams: Moscrop plays New West at 4 p.m., Burnaby North takes on Eric Hamber at 5:45 p.m., and Burnaby South battles Burnaby Mountain at 7:30 p.m.
