Bombers flying high to open High School hoop season
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
A nine-point run before halftime was the straw that broke the camels back for the L.V. Rogers Bombers.
Norkam of Kamloops blew open a close 35-30 game en route to a 60-43 victory over the Bombers in the final of the Westsyde Wundas High School Boy’s Basketball Tournament Saturday in Kamloops.
“A disappointing final 40 seconds of the second quarter proved to be the TSN turning point in the game,” said Bomber coach Blair D’Andrea. “The Bombers allowed three uncontested three-pointers from the Saints to put them in a 14-point hole going into halftime.”
In front of a loud partisan crowd, the Bombers worked hard together as a team, with excellent relief minutes from Jessie Zak and Jae Tak to surprise the Saints and keep the game close early.
Jason D’Andrea, named tournament Most Valuable Player, paced the Bombers in the finale with 28 points.
Clay Rickaby added a double double with 15 rebounds and 16 points while John Zak added 10 and Maverick Seed chipped in with eight points.
LVR advanced to the final with a 51-41 victory over Valleyview Vikings of Kamloops. D’Andrea led LVR with 20 points. Seed had eight while Rickaby was another force on the boards with 15.
Seeing competition for the first time this season, LVR opened the tournament by smashing Vernon Secondary 52-38.
Leading 29-20 at halftime, the Bombers turned up the defensive pressure on Valleyview to register the win.
D’Andrea scored 17 for LVR.
“The boys played extremely well together, showing off a team-based attack and unity that was fantastic for this early in the season,” said Blair D’Andrea.
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