Boys: Charles Hays vs. West Van
Written by Scott Leigh, Handsworth Grad 2006
As the warmups finished for each team, Charles Hays was looking ultra-relaxed as they worked on their alley-oops. It remains to be seen if they can carry that relaxed mentality over into the start of the game when the teams lined up for tip-off high up in the British Properties.
Back to back threes for West Van gave them a quick 6-0 lead to start this game. There is no lack of intensity between these two teams as we have seen multiple kids on the ground hustling for loose balls. We have some interesting matchups with a couple of athletic 6’8 boys battling it out down-low, and also showing their range both knocking down early 3’s. The first quarter has been back and forth with each team missing a number of easy buckets to finish the quarter. After the first quarter the Highlanders have a slight lead over the Rainmakers, and it appears we are in for a great game with two well matched teams.
Big man Liam McChesney #13 on Charles Hays completes a drop step two-handed slam dunk on the Highlanders mid-way through the second to give some energy to his squad amidst a defensive 2nd quarter. West Van continues to work the inside-out game with the big man down-low, which has remained effective keeping them in this game with Charles Hays’ hot shooting.
It seemed that Charles Hays was standing behind their name, the Rainmakers, as the slight drizzle we felt in the first quarter matured nicely into full-fledged showers in the second. The Rainmakers finished off the half strong stretching their lead to 9 points at the break.
The battle of the modern day big-man continues to be thrilling to watch in the third. All sorts of crafty maneuverers both from the perimeter and on the low-post are keeping the crowd entertained. West Van looks to mix up its D by coming out of a late third quarter time-out in a zone. Another back and forth quarter, with a late run by the Highlanders has Charles Hays up by only 1 point at the end of 3.
Not surprisingly after watching that first half, the storm the Rainmakers were making in the first half ended in a category 4 hurricane. Rainmakers won 66 to 63.
No Regrets.