(BOYS) Handsworth Royals squeak past DP Todd in quarter-final matchup

It’s Friday night and time for some Quarter-Final basketball at the base of Grouse Mountain at Handsworth Secondary School. The home team Handsworth Royals are facing off against the DP Todd Trojans from Prince George. Both teams are fired up and ready to battle for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Trojans are showing their game plan early after shooting four consecutive three-pointers on their first four possessions. Handsworth #12 Kenna misses a three of his own, but hustles to get his own rebound and puts it in with a layup. Later in the quarter #21 Horn makes the steal and throws down the transition dunk. DP Todd continues to drain shots, while great rebounding and transition play from Handsworth keeps them ahead. Royals up 18-15 at the end of the first.

The 2nd quarter starts with a 7-0 run from the Trojans, who clearly aren’t going to give in to the home team. Handsworth does well dominating the offensive boards but they can’t seem to find the bottom of the bucket. After a Royals timeout, they switch up their defence and settle in to a half-court trap, dropping back in to a 2-3 zone. The trap proves to be effective as the Royals force the Trojans to turn the ball over several times giving the Royals a 41-32 lead to end the half

Halftime Story: This crowd looks more prepared to go snowshoeing than to watch a basketball game. Someone needs to turn up the temperature in this gym.

 Handsworth starts the third quarter in their half-court trap, resulting in two quick layups for the royals. The Trojans are sticking with their game plan, but the shots aren’t dropping like they were in the first half. You live by the three, you die by the three. Handsworth keeps running the court and getting to the rim as their lead grows. DP Todd shifts their offensive approach and starts attacking the hoop, drawing foul after foul from the Royals defence. The pace of the game slows and some big plays from Trojans #23 Sale and #1 Shergill keep them alive in this game. Royals up 61-52 at the end of the third.

Momentum has shifted in this fourth quarter. The Royals have gone ice-cold and the Trojans are fired up. Both teams continue to attack the basket with the Trojans slowly chipping away at the Handsworth lead. The Royals take a time-out with 2:46 to go in this game, up by only 4 points. Royals #9 Watters scores a quick layup after the time-out, answered by a deep three from DP Todd’s #23 Sale. Both teams continue to attack the rim as the fouls tally up. We’re in for a close finish here as the Trojans take a time-out with 50 seconds to go, down by just two points.

The Royals eat up some clock but fail to score. DP Todd comes down the other end but the Royals’ tight defence forces them to turn it over out-of-bounds. DP Todd takes a time out with 11 seconds to go, Royals still up 71-69. Handsworth inbounds the ball and plays keep-away, managing to eat 10 seconds off the clock before the Trojans can get a foul in. Royals #9 Watters goes 1 for 2 from the line, but the Trojans aren’t able to hit the miracle buzzer beater with 0.8 on the clock. Royals pull of the nail-biter and advance to the semi-finals. Final Score 72-69.

Congratulations to Player of the Game, Handsworth’s #11 Marko Stojslavevic