The EMCS Wolverines bared their teeth and brought out their claws to beat the league-leading Esquimalt High Dockers in senior boy’s basketball on Tuesday.
Ike Batten netted 20 points to lead the Wolverines in a strong offensive effort to beat Esquimalt 69-60 at the EMCS gym.
The two teams were evenly matched through the first three quarters, but the Wolverines exploded for 18 points in the final frame. The Dockers only muster nine.
Esquimalt came into the game with a 3-0 record. With the win, EMCS now sits at 2-2 after starting the season at 2-2.
“The team defence is getting better,” said Wolverines coach Trevor Bligh.
“The defensive concept is starting to stick, and the guys are understanding and using it.”
The Wolverines capitalized on eight turnovers for baskets, and reduced their defensive rebounds, despite an understaffed bench.
In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines put their running game in gear and forced to Esquimalt to catch up.
Other top scorers for EMCS included Nick Card with 14 and Storm Spackman with 13.
Sampson Watson (18) and Ron Blas (13) led the Esquimalt offense.
“We still have lots of room to go – and improve,” Bligh said. “You can see where we can play, where we have played.”
In the meantime, EMCS hosts its annual Wolverines Holiday Tournament on Dec. 28 and 29.
Seven teams will take part in the tournament,with the first game tipping off at 11 a.m. with Francis Kelsey taking on Belmont. EMCS plays its first game at 5:45 p.m.
The Wolverines have never won the tournament in its 11-year history, but its has made the finals twice.
BASELINE … Antonio Cepeda missed Tuesday’s game due to the flu … injured point guard Clement Casavant suffered ligament damage in a game against Stelly’s Hornets, but is expected to return by the end of January … EMCS plays Reynolds secondary on Thursday and two exhibition games on Friday against Ladysmith and Mount Doug.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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