Kootenay Chill Basketball squad finds success in South Okanagan
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Kootenay Chill won three of four game during a recent Lake City Spring Tip-off Basketball Tournament in Penticton.
The Chill, a collection of players from the Nelson area, defeated teams from Kelowna, host Penticton and Kamloops during the spring basketball event.
In the opener, Kelton Forte paced the attack to lead Kootenay past U13 Junior Heat 41-33.
The Chill started slow, trailing 14-8 before outscoring the Junior Heat squad 18-6 to take a 26-20 lead at halftime.
Kootenay continued its strong play in the second half to grab the eight point victory.
Against Lake City U14 from Penticton, the Chill used full-court pressure to open an 11-1 lead en route to a 44-25 victory.
Nathaniel Pan lead the way with eight points in the first half to finish with a game-high 16 points. Van Kozak chipped in 13 while Forte had eight points. Pan was named player of the game for Kootenay.
In Game three, the undersized U12 Junior club team overcame a 15-point deficit to take a 40-39 lead over the Chill in the second half of the contest.
Kootenay regained its composure to go on a 15-4 run in a 55-44 victory.
The Chill had led the game 25-10 at one point.
Kozak was name Player of the Game.
In the final contest, the Chill met a very well-coached Pro Hop squad from Kamloops, losing 56-35.
The Kamloops squad used full-court pressure to build a 43-11 lead at halftime.
Kootenay regrouped in the second half to outscore Pro Hop 24-13. However, the first half deficit was too great as Pro Hop registered the win.
Kootenay Chill U14 and U13 squads next action is in Kamloops at the Pro Hop Tournament.
The players on both teams are from Trafalgar and Steve Nash Youth Basketball programs in the Heritage City.
