Bombers sharp in capturing Bulldogs Hoop Tournament
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The short-handed L.V. Rogers Bombers got their revenge and the championship during a High School Senior Boy’s Basketball Tournament Saturday in Creston.
LVR defeated host Prince Charles Bulldogs 55-51 in the final to capture the tourney that featured teams from the East Kootenay.
“Jake Anderson was named player of the game and (point guard) Eamon Studer was tournament MVP based on his exceptional defense, agressive offensive play, and poise down the stretch,” said Bomber coach Jeremy Phelan.
Leading 53-51 in the seasaw contest, Jake Anderson, after collecting a defensive rebound, knocked down a pair of free throws to secure the four-point win.
The Bombers were lead in the final game by the performances of Grade 10’s Studer and Vinnie Watson who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Anderson finished with seven points and Robby Dixon had six points.
LVR opened the tournament with a grudge-match against Fernie Falcons.
The Falcons had defeated LVR by a point in the final of the Mount Sentinel Tournament in December.
LVR moved the ball up the court early and often to build an early lead against the bigger but slower Falcons of Fernie.
On the back of point guard Robby Dixon’s 12 point effort in the first half, the Bombers held a 25-20 lead at the midway break. The Grade 11 Dixon’s production in the second did not slow in second half, scoring 17 of his eventual season high 29 points, leading the Bombers to the 55-43 victory against the east Kootenay rival.
Another key to the victory was the Bombers perimeter defense, with great efforts by Dixon, Darian Johnson, and Grade 10 guard Studer, against the poorer-ball handling of the Falcon guards.
Behind Dixon’s stand-out effort, Vinnie Watson contributed 10 points, Johnson had seven points, and Kai Shave chipped in 4 points.
Dixon was named player of the game.
In the afternoon, the Bombers faced off against the Selkirk Storm of Kimberley.
LVR handled the Storm easily, cruising to the 56-33 victory, with all eight Bombers seeing significant playing time.
Player of the game, Grade 11 Kai Shave, contributed 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot.
Once again, Robby Dixon lead all scorers with 13 points. Watson and Johnson chipped in nine points each, Studer netted six points, and Jake Anderson and Grade 9 Dyllen Dixon scored four points each.
Grade 9 Brock Dixon rounded out the scoring with two points.
