UPDATED: Injuries hamper Bombers against North Van's Bodwell
By The Nelson Daily Sports
In the end, a short bench proved to be the undoing for the L.V. Rogers Bombers at the BC High School AAA Boy’s Basketball Championships in Langley.
Already without power forward Vinnie Watson, the Bombers lost top scorer Josh Matosevic in the third quarter of Saturday’s consolation round game against Bodwell Bruins of North Vancouver.
The injuries made it easy for the Lower Mainland squad to blast the Bombers 74-54 on Day four of the Provincial High School Basketball Tournament.
The result left the Bombers in 14th spot in the 16-team tournament.
Bodwell took a 18-10 lead into the second quarter, increasing the margin to 33-22 at halftime.
Bombers remained close, but after Matosevic was taken out attempting a jump shot, the Kootenay reps had very little offence left to overtake Bodwell.
Matosevic led all Bombers scorers with 22 points while Robby Dixon added 16 and Eamon Studer nine.
Bodwell dominated the boards at both ends of the courts, finishing the game with a 40-8 points in the paint advantage.
Bodwell also held the advantage shooting, shooting 53 percent to LVR’s 29 percent.
LVR finished the tournament with a 1-3 record, losing to eventual champion Southridge of Surrey and Duchess Park of Prince George.
The lone win came against Charles Hayes of Prince Rupert.
Bombers knock off No. 4 Charles Hayes at Triple-A Basketball Tournament
The senior class led by example, combining for 78 points to spark the L.V. Rogers Bombers to an 81-74 upset victory over fourth-ranked Charles Hayes of Prince Rupert Friday in consolation round action at the BC High School AAA Boy’s Basketball Championships in Langley.
Robby Dixon led the 16th ranked Bombers in scoring with 30 points while Josh Matosevic had 28 and Jake Anderson 20.
LVR opened the game with a solid first quarter, building a 23-17 advantage.
Charles Hayes closed the gap to 40-36 at the half before LVR increased the margin to 61-56 after three periods.
LVR forward Kai Shave played most of the game in foul trouble and and Vinnie Watson injured a knee to limit the Bombers attack.
“Vinnie is probably out of the tournament now,” said LVR coach Jeremy Phelan.
The Bombers shot 45 percent from the field during the game and hit 89 percent at the foul line.
LVR lost Thursday to Duchess Park of Prince George 80-57.
“We brought it to within 10 but they pulled away on free throws and fast break at the end when we had to gamble and pressure then full court,” Phelan explained.
The Bombers now meet Bodwell of North Vancouver in consolation action Saturday at 1:15 p.m.
