Nelson Clubsters open Spring hoop season in Salmon Arm
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Club Basketball team traveled to the North Okanagan to begin the spring lead against teams from Salmon Arm.
Josh Matosevic led the U17s in scoring in a 59-27 defeat against a much bigger and stronger Synergy U17’s.
Nelson has no U17s on the team as the club is filled with younger players.
“We are often physically outmatched by older U17 teams,” said coach Jeremy Phelan.
Despite the size and age discrepancy, Nelson jumped to a 4-1 lead with baskets from Colton Jones.
However, at the three- minute mark our starting center Vinnie Watson went down with a dislocated knee and we had to wait for the ambulance to take him to the hospital.
Nelson lost its momentum and were outmatched without Watson’s size in the post.
After a short break Nelson played the Synergy U15 squad.
The Grade 8 twin duo of Brock and Dyllen Dixon controlled the back court along with Jared Martin against the junior Synergy opponent.
The tables turned against the U15 Synergy, as Nelson had the overall size advantage and were able to out-rebound and out-muscle the slighter U15s.
The line of Rob Dixon, Matosevic, Stryder Scott, Teja Legare, and Colton Jones managed to score at will and maintain leads through each quarter and finally secure the 41-34 win.
