Blue Jags Power into Provincial Final with win over Cavaliers

                    Photo by Mike Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

Graeme Hyde-Lay poured in a game high 25 points including 6 giant triphectas to power the SMUS Blue Jags past the Collingwood Cavaliers 67-34 and into the highly anticipated BC AA Provincial Final. The Blue Jags and Cavaliers were separated by a slim margin for the majority of the game until the third quarter when Hyde-Lay led a Blue Jags surge that saw them pull away.

 

Both teams got off to understandably slow starts out the gate, but SMUS settled in midway through the quarter and took a 12-4 lead after a low scoring opening period. Hyde-Lay led the way with 6 points in the first frame.

 

The two teams played each other evenly in the second quarter, as SMUS held a 28-23 lead at half time. Hyde-Lay continued to lead the way with 11 points and 3 rebounds at the break, Jason Scully added 10 points and 4 rebounds and Matty McColl corralled 6 boards for the Jags.

 

The Blue Jags extended their lead to start the third backed by a number of gigantic Hyde-Lay three-balls. Heading to the final frame, SMUS was up 49-30. The Blue Jags were able to hold a comfortable advantage the rest of the way, as they closed out the 67-34 victory.

 

Aside from Hyde-Lay’s monster game, Scully finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Max Pollen chipped in with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Meanwhile, McColl was a force on the boards all night, hauling in a team high 10 rebounds.

 

“Collingwood played a strong zone defence tonight so we had to take a lot of threes.” said Hyde-Lay after the game, “Fortunately I was able to get some good looks and make some shots.”

 

The Blue Jags will now gear up for what is the last and biggest game in all of their high school basketball careers: the BC AA Provincial Final against Delview. The game will tip off on the Arena Court of the Langley Events Centre at 3:45 PM on Saturday.