Blue Jags Best Spartans to Get Back in Win Column

                   Photo by Mike Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

Liam Catto notched his first double double of the season, tallying a team high 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 4 assists as the SMUS Blue Jags got back to their winning ways with a 72-46 triumph over the Claremont Spartans in Victoria Tier 1 League play Tuesday night. Catto stepped up big time for the Jags who were missing team leading scorer Jason Scully due to illness.

 

The two teams played each other evenly to start the game, as SMUS and Claremont were tied at 11 after a defensively-minded first quarter.

 

The Blue Jags came out flying to start the second, going on a 12-2 run to start the frame prompting a Claremont timeout. SMUS was able to maintain their cushion for the rest of the period, taking a 29-19 advantage into the half. Catto had a strong opening half, posting 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Jags.

 

SMUS carried their strong play with them into the second half, blowing the game open thanks to a 12-0 run to start the third quarter. Heading to the fourth, the Jags had a comfortable 54-29 advantage. From there it was smooth sailing through the final frame as the Jags put the finishing touches on the 72-46 win.

 

Aside from Catto's big game, several other Blue Jags made a mark on the score sheet. Graeme Hyde-Lay put up 10 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, Callum Montgomery totaled 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals and Max Pollen chipped in 9 points. Meanwhile, the Jags also received contributions off the bench from Alex Caton (7 points and 6 rebounds including 5 offensive boards), David Lee (7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals) and Lucas De Vries (5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks).

 

"It feels great." said Catto on his first double double, "We started off slow but we got into it in the second half and played aggressively."

 

The Blue Jags will now gear up for the Brentwood Countdown to the Playoffs Tournament held January 30-31 at both Brentwood College and Shawnigan Lake School. The Jags will have four games in the two day tournament, the first of which tips off at 10:30 AM Friday morning versus Parkland at Shawnigan Lake.