The MEI Eagles first trip to the senior boys basketball provincials since 2009 was a successful one.
Seeded 12th in the 3A conference, the Eagles opened with a narrow 97-92 loss to Richmond’s R.A. McMath Wildcats on day one of the tournament on March 7.
MEI’s Isaiah Reimer went off for 45 points against the Wildcats, the first of several strong performances from the Grade 12 student.
The Eagles moved to the consolation bracket after the loss, but then posted an 89-70 win over Courtnay’s G.P. Vanier Towhees on Thursday. Reimer dropped another 41 points to lead the Eagles to the win.
MEI picked up another win on Friday by taking down Surrey’s Clayton Heights Nightriders 84-68.
The tournament wrapped up for the Eagles with a 96-89 loss to North Vancouver’s Argyle Pipers on Saturday. MEI finished 10th overall at the event, and Reimer was named a tournament second team all-star.
Also in the 3A, the Rick Hansen Hurricanes were unable to defend the provincial title they won in 2017 and ultimately finished 12th in the province.
Hansen entered the event ranked 10th, and opened with a 88-65 loss to Prince George’s Duchess Park Condors on March 7. Gurlal Mann and Gurkaran Mangat scored 16 points apiece in the loss for Hansen.
The Hurricanes bounced back with an 83-80 win over the Carihi Tyees from Campbell River on Thursday. Mangat collected 21 points to lead all Hansen players. The Hurricanes turned it on in the fourth quarter against the Tyees, outscoring the Vancouver Island team 33-20 in the final frame.
Hansen then lost 78-74 to Argyle on Friday and fell 69-61 to Clayton Heights on Saturday to close out the tournament.
The 3A tournament final saw the South Kamloops Titans defeat Burnaby’s Byrne Creek Bulldogs 74-66. The Titans were last year’s runners-up, while Abbotsford basketball fans may remember the Bulldogs after the Burnaby team dominated at the Timberwolves Classic tournament earlier this year.
North Delta beat Pitt Meadows 69-52 in the 3A third place game.
The lone Abbotsford team in the 4A tournament for 2018 was the W.J. Mouat Hawks, who stumbled early at the event but finished strong.
The Hawks, ranked fourth in the province for 4A, became the first upset victim at the tournament after falling 70-60 to the 13th-ranked Belmont Bulldogs from Victoria on March 7. Mouat was outscored 41-29 in the second half in the loss. Dhivaan Bhogal scored a team-high 18 points in the setback.
The struggles continued for the Hawks on Thursday, as they fell 81-52 to Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox Ravens. The first half was the problem for the Hawks against the Ravens, as the club trailed 47-23 heading into the third quarter. Prab San led all Hawks players with 12 points.
Mouat got on the winning track by crushing Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Wild 75-45 on Friday. Harvir Garcha led the way with 16 points.
The Hawks concluded the tournament with a 75-66 over Rutland to finish 13th overall in the province.
The 4A tournament final saw the Burnaby South Rebels defeat the Semiahmoo Totems 80-72.
Tamanawis beat Belmont 100-76 in the 4A third place game.
Brentwood College won the 2A provincial title after beating King George 97-59, and Heritage Christian took home the 1A crown after defeating Bulkley Valley Christian 65-53.
For full results from all the tournaments, visit bchighschoolbasketballchampionships.com.
