Harry Ainlay Titans Outlast Collingwood Cavaliers in Back-and-Forth Battle for Third Place

Harry Ainlay Titans Sr. Boys v Collingwood Cavaliers

3rd/4th place game

(photo credit: Blair Shier)

Ainlay was in blue while Collingwood sported its gold kit. The venerable Karn Dhillon was on the whistle for this one – always a good sign for an enjoyable and fair game. Notably for Collingwood, Grade 11 McAdam was getting his first start of the year. There will be more about him later. Think hustle.

Q1: Li opened the scoring for Collingwood with a 3 on the first possession followed by another, then answered by Titans’ gr. 11 guard Patel. Then Murphy for the Cavs followed by a McAdam offensive rebound and putback. This game looked like it would be a fast-paced war. Chieriro, reported to be the team’s best dancer, nailed a corner 3 to put Ainlay ahead for the first time. A late-in-the-quarter time clock violation stalled Collingwood while Ainlay had 3 chances (based on two offensive rebounds) in the last minute and missed them all. Score at end of Q1: 27-25 Collingwood.

Q2: Li (S) danced around Ainlay’s arms to drain a 3 to lead off the scoring in Q2. The high tempo of the game led to a charge by Ainlay followed by Cav’s Li (T) beautifully setting up McAdam. Li (S) continued to shine taking a long pass in the corner and converting the three. After a series of fast breaks, Cav’s Coach Wong called a timeout However, it was Ainlay who surged after the break as the Cavs quieted. Score at end of Qs: 41-37 Ainlay.

Q3: The frantic tempo returned in Q3 and Collingwood swatted away a fast break off the backboard. Both teams are well-coached but they say you can’t coach speed. It appeared there was nothing holding these warriors back. McAdam wrestled an inbound pass from the Ainlay intended recipient.  Then Li (S) hit a 3 to make the score 56-55 Ainlay. Then Ainlay started a run but could not own the lead as it bobbled back and forth. It was dizzying. Ainlay’s Majok broke through the Collingwood defensive wall for a brave 2, later double-clutching for a 2, then teammate Patel put up a beautiful tear-drop for another 2. Collingwood now needs those electric paddles where the medic yells “clear”. Score at end of Q3: 75-64 with Ainlay’s biggest lead.

Q4: Early Collingwood efforts by McAdam at the foul line and another 2 from a slick inbound pass were cancelled by a 3 from Ainlay. It was mostly going Ainlay’s way. A loooong 3 by Li (S) for the Cavs  as well as an off-balance 3 were heroic but the Albertans kept rolling. Fearlessly, Li (S) hit 2 more threes before time ran out.

Congratulations to both teams for an entertaining and very sportsmanlike battle.

Final Score: Ainlay 96- 88 Collingwood