Pacific Academy Break Away From Rams

December 7, 2023

Pacific Academy Breakers v. Maple Ridge Secondary Rams

The No Regrets 2023 tournament kicks off for these two teams with the Breakers donning their white uni’s with black trim and red letters while the Rams rock the polar opposite: black kits with red trim and white letters. Just like their jerseys these teams look to be closely matched in the early going. Pacific Academy pulled ahead and on the next possession Maple Ridge answered to even it up. PA gets a layup, Ridge matches. PA nails a three, Ridge follows suit. After the first quarter it is the Breakers from Surrey that are up 14-13.

Early in the second quarter the back and forth action continues with Ridge #7 Liam Sampson being quieter than a church mouse in the paint and leaving himself completely unguarded for a free layup. This sends the Breakers coach into a frenzy. For the first time this game the Rams find themselves in the lead but faster than a T-Swift relationship this quickly disappears. Whoever put this draw together could not have picked a better matchup for these two teams. Both squads are so evenly matched. At halftime, the score is tied 24-24 and this one could come down to who has the last possession. 

To start the second half Maple Ridge big man #11 Owen Fernandez takes a nice dish for a smooth layup. Not wanting to get outdone by his counter part Breakers #11 Elias Ogbes gets a layup of his own 5 seconds later. PA guard # 9 Nathan Chiang has looked silky smooth all game. Halfway through the 3rd quarter he “awes” the crowd with a spin and layup. This game feels like it’s anyone's for the taking. If someone can go on a run it might make the difference of a W for their team or not. It wasn’t pretty but as the quarter progressed the Breakers were finally able to get a little breathing room and pull away to create a 7-point lead going into the final quarter.

A frantic start to the 4th quarter sees the Breakers extend their lead to double digits. With 7 minutes left the Rams are down by 10. We’ll see if this is too much for them tonight. Credit has to be given to PA guard #7 Jaden Mesfin. Every time there is a play to made it seems like he is right there making it on both, the offensive and defensive side of the ball. As the game went along so did the lead. The final score will be much more lopsided than the game itself, especially the first half.

Thank you to both teams for being at this year's tournament and to Maple Ridge for fighting to the very end.

In the end the Pacific Academy Breakers take this one 65 - 47. Good luck to both squads for the rest of the tournament.