Pacific Academy Earns a Spot in the Tourney Finals

December 9, 2023

Pacific Academy (PA) v. Belmont

Happy Saturday folks - we are in for a beautiful morning of basketball as we are set for a big semi-final matchup between the Pacific Academy Breakers and the Belmont Bulldogs. As the teams hit their warmup lines it’s clear Pacific Academy certainly has the height advantage, and you can bet they will be looking to use that physicality to their advantage.

Pacific Academy came flying out of the gates looking to push the ball in transition and get to the rim. Belmont may be undersized compared to the Breakers, but there is no intimidation. The Bulldogs are going at their opponent with intention, showing no signs of concern over their height disadvantage. The athleticism and size of Pacific Academy is a tough combination, and they have used that combo to give themselves a 20-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The Bulldogs are going to have to keep finding the open man against PA’s halfcourt zone D, and they are going to need a few of these three balls to fall to stay close. #10 for Belmont, Aman Parmar, is heating up from deep, knocking down his 3rd three-pointer keeping his squad within striking range. Halfway through the Q2 the Bulldogs have clawed their way back to within 10. Belmont has done a nice job of ensuring this game does get out of hand before the half. Their competitiveness and tenacity on both ends of the court has Belmont in a position to make a second half push.

At the half, Pacific Academy is holding on to a 35-27 lead.  

Halftime Fact #1: The No Regrets Tournament champions’ trophies (boys and girls) are the real shoes that Quinn Keast wore during his grade 12 season!

The Breakers have started the second half with a sense of urgency, putting together a nice run and extending their lead to 15. The Bulldogs continue to fight with stingy D and knocking down their fair share of jumpers. They are going to need their shooting to get hot down the stretch if they are going to pull out this win and earn a spot in the finals later tonight.  At the end of the third quarter Pacific Academy has a 14 point lead, up 50-36. 

The Breakers have come out firing in the fourth, making sure they secure their spot in the championship game later this evening. They have pushed their lead out to 20+, and have their sights set on the opportunity of holding the infamous No Regrets trophy. In the end, the size and athleticism of the Breakers was too much for the Bulldogs to handle. An entertaining game that gave the fans a bit of everything!

Final Score: Pacific Academy: 75 - Belmont: 53.

Player of the Game: Pacific Academy’s Ourael Mulugeta

No Regrets