Few, if any, first-game jitters got in the way of Burnaby South's dominating start to the B.C. senior boys 4-A provincial basketball tournament Wednesday in Langley.
The No. 1-ranked Rebels handily won the opener Wednesday morning, beating the Mount Baker Wild 95-41 at the Langley Events Centre.
Knocking down 58 points over the second and third quarters, Burnaby South looked every part the juggernaut that entered the provincials as the favourites. Only a 17-11 fourth quarter in the Wild's advantage -- with liberal substitutions on the Rebels part -- held the final tally from three digits.
The Rebels led 26-11 after 10 minutes, getting 13 points from Grade 12 post player Sasha Vujisic. The six-foot-10 forward added nine more over the second quarter as the squad built up an impressive 55-17 advantage at halftime.
They maintained that pace in the third frame, counting another 29 points before easing up over the last 10 minutes.
The Rebels defence held the Wild to just 52 field goal shots and 25 per cent success rate, while cashing in on 41-of-92 shots at the other end. Burnaby South cashed in 58 points inside the paint and 39 off turnovers, while whalloping the Cranbrook crew 31-2 on second chance attempts.
Grade 10 post Karan Aujla netted 14 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and two assists to earn the Player of the Game honours. Contributing 11 points and six rebounds was Justin Sunga, while Anthony Palomino-Acevedo chipped in 10 points.
Burnaby South now faces No. 8-seed Oak Bay on Thursday, 4:45 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre. A win there would catapult them into Friday's semifinal (8:45 p.m.).
The tourney wraps up Saturday with the championship game at 8:15 p.m.
