(BOYS) Collingwood tops Brentwood in battle of AA #3 vs. #5
Collingwood Cavaliers vs Brentwood College
Written by Jeff McCutcheon
This highly anticipated match has two of BC’s best Double A teams going head to head. The #3 ranked home squad Collingwood Caviliers took on the #5 ranked Brentwood College, who have travelled in from the Island. After a home court intro that would rival the 90’s Chicago Bulls, both teams were jacked up for this game. Unfortunately, in true North Shore fashion a ref was stuck in traffic so this energy was put on hold. A short while later he walked in to a host of cheers from both sides and it was game time!
As they lined up for tip off it must be noted that the team from the Island has travelled very thin. Missing 8 players they are left with only 2 substitutes on the bench. We’ll see if this becomes a story as the game goes along. Early on both teams are very evenly matched. The Cavs doing their damage from the perimeter and Brentwood having success inside with their big man 6’6” #14 Phillip Akindipe. The battle continues in a very physical first quarter with players from both sides ending up on the deck multiple times. We were in for a battle here! At the end of the first quarter it was 19-18 for the home team.
Early in the second quarter Cavs #23 Anderson Stewart shows he can hit a three and also get dirty inside hitting multiple tough shots from in close. The Island team needed to find an answer for him if they wanted to win this one. On the opposite end Brentwood was winning the battle in the paint thus far, especially in the offensive side of the court making this a very tight game! Collingwood’s feather-in-the-hat, sword-yielding mascot did more nervous trips up and down the court than some of the players. At half time it’s 36-33 for the visiting BC team.
Halftime fun fact: it was brought to my attention that Brentwood College School is the only team in BC without a team name. I’m already an awful writer and this isn’t helping.
The second half started with the travelling squad coming out hot. They built on their lead with 5 points early and making it an 8-point game. The physical nature continued on with multiple big blocks and even a couple of technical fouls. Perhaps the ref had enough of dealing with people on his drive over here. One thing is for sure, Brentwood would have to be very careful. They can’t afford to lose anyone to fouls or technical. They don’t have enough bodies on the bench. Brentwood built up a nice 58 - 43 lead with 2 minutes remaining in the quarter but their 7 players will really have to battle to hang on to this game. After a nice 8-0 run by Collingwood the 3rd quarter ends 58-51 for Brentwood.
With a couple of quick threes to start the 4th the Cavs clawed their way back to make it a 1-point game! Momentum had definitely shifted as Collingwood continued to make shots while the Islanders were doing everything they could to hang in there. #8 Dylan Gage has been a force all night for Brentwood. He and his teammates continue to battle but this short bench is really hurting them. Full of energy the home squad went up 75 - 68 with 3 minutes left to play. It was a dominating last 12 minutes by the home squad. They were able to erase a 15-point deficit and win the game 80 -74.
A huge thank you to Brentwood for making the trip! It’s tough not to wonder if it would have been a different result with a full bench. Congrats to Collingwood for the big win on home court and good luck to both teams for the rest of the tournament.
No regrets