Owls Soar to Victory: Kelowna Outlast the Kodiaks in an Opening Round Battle

December 7, 2023

Heritage Woods v. Kelowna

Kelowna Owls are in town visiting the Heritage Woods Kodiaks, as these two teams look to get their 2023 No Regrets Tournament started with a win. 

The K-Town Owls are starting this game with intense pressure, making sure the Kodiaks are feeling their presence from baseline to baseline. The pressure is paying off, earning them a 10-0 lead out of the gate. The Owls solid halfcourt D has forced Heritage Woods into taking difficult threes, making them really earn all 9 of their first quarter points. Expect to see a healthy dose of full-court press from the Owls for the majority of this game, as that has certainly worked to their advantage. 

The Kodiaks have started to find the opportunities that come with countering pressure, reducing the lead down to 7 a few minutes into the second quarter. #6 for Kelowna, Mav Chahal, has been comfortably leading the offence from the point - executing halfcourt sets and finding the right moments to push in transition. Transition buckets have played a big part this quarter, pushing the Owls lead close to 20 late in the first half.

At the half Kelowna is up 47-26.

Halftime Fact #1: Kelowna’s head coach, Peter Guarasci, was a member of Canada’s 2000 Olympic National Basketball Team.

The start of the second half feels similar to the end of the first half - full court press from the Owls, and just as much pressure when the Kodiaks eventually get set in their halfcourt sets. The lead has been extended to 30 with a balanced attack from Kelowna, with the full squad contributing offensively. The Kodiaks continue to fight hard on both ends of the court, but they are facing an Owls team that is stingy, relentless, and clearly not interested in giving up easy buckets.  Kelowna increased their lead to 32 heading into the final Q.

This was a great early season test for the Kodiaks, facing a bunch of pressure all game long that will undoubtedly help them in the season to come. Short-term pain, with hopeful long-term gain. The drive in from Kelowna to Vancouver only seemed to have energized the visiting Owls, as there was no indication of fatigue for the squad tonight. They will be looking to fit in some recovery tonight, and then start preparing for their semi-final matchup tomorrow. 

Final Score: Kelowna: 77 - Heritage Woods: 36.

No Regrets.