Blue Jags Down Stags to Open South Island Tournament

                   Photo by Mike Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

With a strong regular season behind them, the SMUS Blue Jags began their much anticipated "second" season with the South Island Tournament Friday afternoon, opening on a high note by downing the Shawnigan Lake Stags 61-41 in the SMUS double gym.

The Blue Jags got off to a slow start offensively, as the Stags jumped out to a early lead three minutes into the game. But the Blue Jags came alive to finish the quarter on a 14-2 run, taking a 20-8 lead after one. Graeme Hyde-Lay lead the way with 9 points in the opening frame.

The two teams played each other relatively evenly in the second, but SMUS kept a 10 point advantage at half time for a 28-18 lead. Hyde-Lay still lead the way at half with 12 points and Jason Scully contributed 7 points 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Blue Jags expanded their lead to start the second half, heading into the final frame with a 16 point cushion. SMUS kept it coming the rest of the way to close out the 61-41 victory.

Hyde-Lay finished as the high point man with 20 points to go along with a team high 7 steals on the day. Meanwhile, Jake Wilmott tallied 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Jason Scully notched a double double with 13 points, 13 boards, 4 helpers and 2 blocks and Callum Montgomery added 5 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals for the Jags.

"We had a bit of a shaky start but once we got rolling we got into a rhythm." said Hyde-Lay on the team's performance, "It was a good start to the stretch drive for us."

With the win, the Blue Jags will head into the South Island Tournament Final against Lambrick Park, which will also be SMUS' last game on home court for the team's seniors. The game time is set for 2:15 PM on Saturday in the SMUS double gym.