Bombers outlast Wild to capture Kootenay Classic title
By The Nelson Daily Sports
There were some tense moments down the stretch, but the L.V. Rogers Bombers were able to hang on for a 50-47 victory over the Mt. Baker Wild at the Kootenay Classic High School Boys Basketball Tournament Saturday afternoon at the Hangar.
The contest was played without spectators as unlike other sporting events in the province — hockey tournaments, Junior Hockey games or youth club games — that are allowed to have some fans in the building, BC High School Sports, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, continues to enforce restrictions for school tournaments.
The game was the first meeting of the season between the two Kootenay schools.
The Bombers jumped out to an early lead only to see the Wild rally to cut the margin to a few points late in the second quarter.
However, a run before recess allowed the home team to build a 10-point advantage.
Both teams took turns going on runs in the second half before the Wild made a run in the final minutes of the game, overcoming an eight-point LVR margin to cut the lead to three points with seconds remaining on the clock.
The Wild had one last chance to tie the game, but a shot at the buzzer fell short of the hoop.
Tomasso Gasiani and Sameul Orasuk paced the Bombers with 11 and 12-points, respectively.
LVR had strong leadership from point guard Jake Marshall, who ran the fast break allowing the Bombers to scored easy baskets.
LVR opened the tournament Friday afternoon with a 96-81 win over Kootenay River of Creston.
Orasuk led the Bombers with 17 points, including a dunk.
Marshall added 14 points for LVR.
Later Friday, LVR defeated Nakusp 89-50.
Gasiani was top scorer for LVR with 14 points while Marshall and Orasuk each added 12.
The Bombers return to the court Monday with a road game against the Grand Forks Wolves.
