Blue Jags Overpower Knights for Statement Win

                                      Photo by Sarah Scully

By: Mike Edwards

Through five games of the 2014-15 SMUS Senior Boys Basketball season, the Blue Jags had yet to put together a complete 40 minute effort, drawing a sense of urgency from Head Coach Ian Hyde-Lay. But a seemingly daunting matchup with the St. Thomas More Knights – ranked number one at the BC AAA level – was just what the doctor ordered.

Right from the start, the Blue Jags clicked on all cylinders and never looked back, taking down the Knights 72-27 for a massive statement win. Jason Scully had a monster game for the Jags, pouring in a season high 27 points on 71% shooting and adding 12 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. SMUS also got a big boost with the return of Graeme Hyde-Lay and Callum Montgomery from injury.

SMUS came out flying to start, feeding off of a lively crowd in the single gym and pressuring St. Thomas More into a number of turnovers. The Jags played arguably their best quarter so far this season and were rewarded with a 19-4 lead at the end of a dominant opening period. Scully posted 8 points and 4 rebounds in the first frame and Max Pollen put in 7 for SMUS.

The Blue Jags took their momentum into the second, keeping up their strong play for the duration of the frame. SMUS continued to build on their lead and took a commanding 41-13 advantage into the break. Scully continued to lead the charge for the Jags, with 19 points and 7 rebounds in the first half.

The second half brought more of the same, as the Blue Jags held the Knights to only 4 points in the third quarter to give SMUS a 57-17 advantage. From there it was smooth sailing through the fourth as the Jags finished off the Knights for an emphatic 72-27 win.

Scully’s double double is his third in six games this season. Meanwhile, Pollen was dynamite for the Blue Jags, recording 20 points and 4 steals. In his first game back, Hyde-Lay finished with 13 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds.

“I'm just really happy to be back playing with the boys and it was great to have such a great team performance.” remarked Hyde-Lay on his return to action, “Hopefully our work rate and intensity will stay high in the coming games."

The Blue Jags will look to keep the ball rolling Saturday afternoon, with another tough opponent from the mainland in RC Palmer. The game time has been moved up to 1:15 PM in the SMUS single gym.