Falcons outlast LVR Bombers in final of West Kootenay Rumble
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Fernie Falcons held off a late charge to edge the L.V. Rogers Bombers 38-37 in the final of the West Kootenay Rumble High School Boy’s Basketball Tournament Saturday at the Mount Sentinel Gymnasium.
Vinnie Watson missed the second of a two-shot foul allowing the Falcons to hold off Bombers.
“It wasn’t to be,” said Bomber coach Jeremy Phelan.
“The Fernie Falcons were crowned champions of the 2014 West Kootenay Rumble.”
The tournament, hosted by LVR and Mount Sentinel Wildcats, attracted teams from the Okanagan and Kootenays.
Trailing by four points in the final minute, LVR point guard Robby Dixon was able to cut the margin to two points thanks to a baseline jumper.
Fernie missed two free throws on the offensive end and LVR had one last possession to tie.
The Bombers then ran an isolation play for Dixon who faked a shot and handed off to Vinnie Watson in the post who was fouled in the act of shooting with 1.7 seconds left in regulation, putting LVR on the line with an opportunity to tie.
Watson, LVR’s player of the game in the final, converted the first foul shot but missed the second.
LVR gained the rebound but with time running out failed to convert the basket.
Watson who played the majority of the game, led LVR in scoring with nine points.
Dixon and Josh Matosevic, injured during the game, each netted eight points while Jake Anderson and Eamon Studer both chipped in six points.
LVR, without the services of starter Kai Shave due to illness, opened the tournament by stopping Prince Charles Comets of Creston 60-39 Friday afternoon in front of the student body.
The Bombers held period leads of 16-4, 32-17 at half, 47-23 after three quarters.
Matosevic picked apart the PCSS zone defense with 22 points while Studer had nine points and both Dixon and Watson each netted eight points.
LVR advanced to the final by blasting Heritage Christian School Saints of Kelowna 66-43.
LVR jumped to a 17-9 lead after one quarter before going up 34-18 at the half.
Dixon garnered player of the game accolades with 20 points, while Matosevic netted 18 points.
Grade 10 Watson was in tough against the Saints size but managed to chip in nine points.
Studer and Darian Johnson rounded off the scoring contributions with eight and seven points, respectively.
Despite the win, LVR had no answer for the Saints’ smooth-shooting Sam Belli who netted 21 points.
The Bombers return to action Thursday when the team travels to Trail to meet the J. Lloyd Crowe Hawks.
