The W.J. Mouat Hawks’ thrilling playoff run stalled in the provincial AAA boys basketball semifinals, as they dropped a 74-56 decision to the Vancouver College Fighting Irish at the Langley Events Centre on Friday evening.
Another loss in the bronze game on Saturday, 75-65 against the Terry Fox Ravens, meant the Hawks had to settle for fourth.
Still, coach Sean Beasley was impressed with the late-season run that his team put together to make the provincial final four.
“I was really pleased with our effort. We did a good job of coming together as a team,” he said.
The Hawks struggled offensively in the early going of the semi-final. Mouat shot just 25 per cent (8-for-32) in the first half en route to a 37-22 deficit at the break.
“Unfortunately, it one of those days where nothing wanted to fall for us,” Hawks coach Sean Beasley said. “We couldn’t make a breakaway layup drop for us. I don’t know what to say, except I’m proud of these guys. You’re going to have those days, and unfortunately it was in the semifinal where it happened to us.”
The Fraser Valley champions tried to mount a comeback in the second half, trimming the Van College lead down to 11 at one point in the fourth quarter. But the Irish hit a trio of triples in the closing minutes to snuff the Hawks’ rally.
Mouat forward Gurminder Kang notched his third double-double in three games at the tourney, racking up 19 points and 13 rebounds. Sunny Johal had 10 points and 10 boards.
Mouat moved on to the bronze medal game against the Ravens, who seem to borrow the College game plan – bomb from beyond the arc. They shot 15 of 33 from three-point range, to score the majority of their points.
Mouat was up four points with four minutes left in the game
Kang led the Hawks with 21 points.