The boys ASAA 1A High School Provincial bronze medal belongs to the Central Alberta Christian High School (CACHS) Knights after they held off the Stirling High School Lakers in Lacombe on Saturday.
The 82-69 game was more contested than the score suggests, as the Lakers continued to threaten throughout the game by utilizing a drowning press that forced several CACHS turnovers.
At one point, Stirling battled back from being down 20-2 early to tie the game.
“They have quality athletes that can shoot,” Knights Head Coach Veronica DenOudsten said. “We got a little tired and to too me that is expected and is how our season has gone. The big thing is to stay in control, stay focus and keep mental discipline.”
The Knights did that by continuing to hit clutch three-balls every time that the Lakers would inch closes, many of which came from Knight point guard Matthew Baong who finished with 34 points. Baong also hit a key four-point-play that put the game away late in the fourth quarter.
“He has had a couple tough games where he struggled offensively but he never let it get him down. He has always been a strong captain. I am so happy for him,” DenOudsten said.
The Lakers were led by Ty Mazutinec who finished with 18 points on the night.
“Stirling is an incredible team, they are young and they are hosting next year,” DenOudsten said. “I would put my money on them winning a few provincial championships. We are lucky to get this win in against a strong team.”
She added, “It was exciting. They used everything we have been working on all year long and put it all on the floor. It was an amazing performance and they deserved this win. I was very proud of them.”
todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com
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