Blue Jags Clinch Provincial Berth with Emphatic Win Over Eagles

                    Photo by Mike Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

The SMUS Blue Jags punched their ticket to Langley for the BC AA Provincial Tournament in emphatic fashion Friday night, blowing out the Brentwood Eagles 64-22 to advance to the Island Tournament Finals and secure the top three finish needed at to qualify for the Provincial Tournament. The Blue Jags displayed one of their most complete performances of the season, and they appear to have found the perfect time to string together their best stretch of basketball this season.

 

The Blue Jags came out flying to start, opening the game on a 9-2 run en route to a 18-8 lead after one quarter of play. Jason Scully led the way with 8 points and 3 rebounds while also protecting the rim with 3 blocks in the first, and Jake Wilmott chipped in with 6 points and 4 rebounds for the Jags.

 

The Blue Jags brought their momentum with them into the second, playing with high intensity at the defensive end to limit the Eagles to only 4 points in the frame. At half time, SMUS held a 35-12 lead. Scully (10 points and 8 rebounds) was just two rebounds short of a first half double double, while Graeme Hyde-Lay dropped in 10 of his own and Wilmott added 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in the opening 20 minutes.

 

The Blue Jags kept the foot on the gas pedal and didn't let up in the second half, adding to their lead further highlighted by a monstrous alley-oop dunk by Scully off a Matty McColl feed. SMUS once again played stellar defence in the period, holding the Eagles scoreless in the entire third quarter. The Blue Jags coasted through the final period to put the finishing touches on the 64-22 victory.

 

Hyde-Lay was the high point man with 13 points, Scully recorded a double double with 12 points and 11 boards, and Wilmott finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and a team high 6 steals in the game for the Jags.

 

"It was obviously a very good performance on the defensive end which is the most important thing for us as a team." said Wilmott, who also received Player of the Game honours, "We also clinched our berth to Langley which is very exciting."

 

The Blue Jags will now move on to the Island Final where they will meet the hosts Kwalikum coming off a big win over Lambrick Park in the other Semi Final. The game time is set for 7:30 PM on Saturday at Kwalikum.