(BOYS) All-North Vancouver battle sees Carson Graham squeak by STA
Carson Graham vs STA
Written by Larry Donohoe
In a battle of Top 10 teams in their respective tiers, the Carson Graham Eagles took on the Saint Thomas Aquinas Fighting Saints in an all-North Vancouver battle (the schools are 1 km apart). A slow start by both teams had the Eagles up 2-1 after 3 minutes. Cater Andrade hit a three and on the next offensive possession hit two free throws to extend the Carson lead to 9-1. With 4:34 left in the first the Eagles were ahead 11-1. Kole Rideout for the Eagles started to make his presence known with a couple of driving baskets. A bit of sloppy play by both teams has slowed the game down. After Q1 the Eagles lead the Fighting Saints 15-3.
Jordan Zadiks for the Saints opened up the second quarter with a three to cut into the Eagles lead. Sam Simser hit for the Eagles to break a four minute scoring drought. Simser found a soft spot in the middle of the zone to extend the Carson lead to 21-10 with 5:56 left in the half. Big man Declan Cutler (older sister plays at SFU) for STA is starting make his presence felt as the Fighting Saints slowly chipped away at the Carson lead. With 2:51 left in the half, it’s Carson Graham 26, STA 21. Turnovers and missed opportunities hurt Carson down the stretch in Q2. Halftime score, Carson Graham 26, STA 23.
Carson’s, Kole Rideout opened the third with a sweet corner three. Cutler answered for STA with two from the charity stripe and a put-back on the next possession to close the Carson lead to two. Things opened up in the third as the teams started to trade baskets. STA’s Zadiks hit a three to tie the game with 6:00 min left in Q3. STA took their first lead on a deep three by Alvin Ng. STA hit 3 triples in a row to take an eight point lead, 46-38. Like the first quarter, after a fast start by both teams, the scoring slowed down. A baseline jumper by Carson’s Sam Simer closed the STA lead to 46-43 at the end of Q3.
A nice assist by Carson’s Matteo Unkovic set-up Owen Ostler for the opening two of the fourth quarter. A Simser three tied it for the Eagles. The teams are trading hoops with STA holding a slim 52-50 lead with 6:54 left in the game. A long Simser 3 and lay-up in the next possession propelled the Eagle from 2 down to 3 up with 4:43 to go. STA’s Lucas McLennan made it a one point game. Mattias Simmons made two free throws to give STA the lead 58-57. This is turning into an old fashion barn burner! Call the fire department! A corner three by Carter Andrade put the Eagles ahead by 2. STA’s Big man Declan Cutler then tied it at 60. Unfortunately Cutler was hurt on the play and was helped off the court. Hope he is OK, he is playing a fantastic game!
Setting the scene, with 1:36 left in the game the score is tied at 60. A bank three by STA’s Zadiks made[1] it a 3-point lead. Rideout for the Eagles answered to make it one point game with 28.1 seconds left. Carson had an open 3 look but missed. The Eagles fouled with 11 seconds left. STA ball in the back court. STA in-bounded, Carson fouls. Zadiks goes to the line for STA, makes two of two. WOW, Simser then hit a long three to tie the game at 65. OVERTIME!
The teams started tentatively by tradinge turnovers to start overtime. Rideout opened the OT scoring for the Eagles. Simser stretched the lead to four on a reverse put-back. Score: 69-65 Eagles with 3:20 left the first OT period. Logan Mellish completed a 6-0 run to make the score 71-65 Carson with 2:16 left in OT. Simser iced it with a baseline jumper. Final score Carson Graham 74 – STA 68. Player of the Game is Carson Graham’s- #5 Sam Simser. Well-deserved!
It was so great to be back in a gym full of energy and great high school hoops!
[1] Editor’s query: do bank shots count?