Blue Jags Top Grizzlies to Move into Provincial Semis

                    Photo by Mike Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

The SMUS Blue Jags put together a complete 40 minute effort, topping the GW Graham Grizzlies 71-45 Thursday night to advance to the AA Provincial Semi Finals. The Blue Jags rock solid defence was the story in the game, as they held a typically high scoring Grizzlies team to only 45 points.

 

The Blue Jags came out with good energy to start the game, jumping out to a 24-16 lead after one quarter of play. Graeme Hyde-Lay dropped in 8 points in the opening frame while Jason Scully added 4 points and 5 rebounds.

 

The Blue Jags continued to play with high intensity at the defensive end and were able to build on their lead in the second, taking a 40-26 lead into half time. Max Pollen was the high scorer at the break with 10 points, Jake Wilmott chipped in with 8 of his own, Matty McColl recorded 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks and Scully tallied 6 points and 5 rebounds despite getting into foul trouble in the first 20 minutes for the Jags.

 

It was more of the same in the third quarter, as the Blue Jags high pressure defence continued to be the difference. Heading to the final frame, SMUS was up 51-30. That lead proved to be enough for the Blue Jags, as they maintained a comfortable margin the rest of the way to finish off the Grizzlies by a final score of 71-45.

 

Scully scored a team high 15 points and 11 rebounds for the double double, while Pollen finished with 13 points and 4 assists to go along with an excellent shut-down defensive performance on GW Graham’s best player, earning him Player of the Game honours. The Blue Jags also received contributions from Hyde-Lay (12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), Wilmott (10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals) and McColl (8 points and 9 rebounds) on the evening.

 

“I was very pleased with our defensive effort tonight.” said Blue Jags Head Coach Ian Hyde-Lay on the team’s game, “GW Graham is a talented offensive team with three very good scorers, so to hold them to 45 was pleasing.”

 

The Blue Jags will now move on to the Semis in the AA Provincial Tournament against Collingwood at 8:45 PM at the Langley Events Centre.

 

“Collingwood is a very well coached and well drilled team.” added Hyde-Lay, “We'll have to do it all again tomorrow.”