Brentwood Repeats as Provincial Champs!

Since winning the 2017 AA Senior Boys Basketball Provincial Championship last March, Brentwood has been ranked the #1 AA team in BC, and for good reason. They retained most of their championship roster and had an excellent regular season, playing and, more often than not, beating the best AAAA teams the province had to offer. The team’s success continued into the playoffs, winning the South Island and Island Championships. This dominance gave Brentwood the #1 seed headed into Provincials. However, with all eyes on them and a large target on their backs, the team knew that they would have to bring their A game if they wanted a chance to repeat.  With their first game at 8:45pm, the team found ways to pass the time including going to the “secret warehouse” to shootaround, doing homework at the hotel, and watching other games at the Langley Events Centre. The team’s first game was against the #16-seed Grand Forks Wolves. Brentwood got out to a fast start, dominating in the paint and in transition, punctuated by a ferocious slam by Somto D, Rogers’ 18, in the early going. Due to their length and activity, Brentwood was able to effectively shut down the Wolves on offense, limiting them to six, seven, four, and 12 points in each respective quarter. Brentwood won the game 94-29, putting them in the quarter-final. Player of the Game Brendan S, Ellis ‘18, led Brentwood with 15 points while Olamide O, Privett ‘18, contributed 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Nathan P, Ellis ‘18, had 12 points and nine steals while the Rogers trio of Somto D, Ian G and Grant D, each added 10 points. While the team won the game, Captain Bruno C sustained an ankle injury in the second quarter and at the time, his status for the rest of the tournament was in question. In the quarter-final, Brentwood was matched up against the #8-seed Shawnigan Lake Stags; this was the sixth game between the two Island rivals and by this time, both teams were absolutely sick and tired of playing each other. However, with a Provincial Championship on the line, any personal feelings had to be shoved to the side. Fortunately for Brentwood, Bruno C was able to suit up, thanks to some treatment from our athletic trainer Laurel Calhoun. Defense prevailed for the early portion of the first quarter, as neither team could get anything to fall. As the quarter progressed, Brentwood was able to turn their good defense into offense, scoring in transition to build a 16-8 lead at the end of the period. Brentwood’s success continued in the second quarter, leading the game 25-11 at one point. However, we suddenly went cold, scoring only two points the rest of the quarter. On defense, they failed to box out Shawnigan’s players, leading to easy putbacks. In the last minute of the second, Shawnigan’s Dru-Leo hit 3 consecutive three-pointers to give Shawnigan a 35-27 lead heading into halftime; this was Brentwood’s first halftime deficit since trailing the Semiahmoo Totems at the Vancouver College Tournament in January. Most teams would be panicking and freaking out about the run that had just occurred. Yet in the locker room, the team was at ease. They were in a similar position in the AA Finals the previous year, and from playing against the province’s best all season, the team had the poise and experience necessary to come back.  The early stages of the third quarter were back and forth, the deficit consistently hovering around eight points. After a dunk that put them up nine points, it seemed that Shawnigan had all the momentum. Yet just as everything seemed to be going against them, Brentwood went on a run to get back in the game. And-ones from Casper P, Whittall ‘18, and Nathan P, brought the team to within three points. On defense, Brentwood rebounded the ball better, only allowing their opponents to get a single shot off per possession. Following another and-one from Somto D – a play that got him and his bench hyped – Brentwood found themselves up by three points. At the end of the third quarter, Brentwood was up 50-47, feeling much better than they had at halftime. In the final period, Brentwood’s solid defense persisted, making Shawnigan work for every basket, only allowing eight points in the fourth quarter. On offense, Brentwood moved the ball well, getting baskets inside. As the game waned, open threes that did not go down in the second quarter began to fall, expanding the lead. The final score was 75-55 in Brentwood’s favour. Player of the Game Nathan P led the team with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Brendan S had 17 points. Ian G had a great game off the bench, contributing 14 points while Somto D and Bruno C combined for 14 points, 14 rebounds, and nine steals. Though the team won by 20 points, the game certainly felt much closer than the score and they knew that they would have to improve to move past the semifinals the next night.  In the semifinals, Brentwood met the #5-seed Seycove Seahawks; Brentwood won by 34 points in their first matchup in January, but we knew that the Seahawks had talented players that could easily get it going. The first five minutes of the opening period were an offensive struggle for both teams, with the score being 8-6 for Brentwood. As the game progressed, Brentwood was able to get the ball down low consistently, while playing intense defense on the Seahawks. After one period, Brentwood was up 26-12, but knew they would have to stop fouling their opponents if they wanted their lead to increase. Like the first quarter, the second period did not feature much offense, with Brentwood struggling to increase their lead. But again like the first, Brentwood’s defensive intensity picked up, increasing their lead to as much as 22 points. Fouls that led to free throws decreased Brentwood’s halftime lead to 18 points, but the team was still pleased with their performance heading into the locker. During the respite, Coach Gage implored his team to keep their foot on the gas pedal and take the Seahawks out of the game for good. Brentwood responded extremely well, applying excellent ball pressure and turning their opponents over on nearly every possession to start the quarter. These turnovers led to fastbreak layups, allowing Brentwood to double the Seahawks offensive output, 30-15 in the quarter. After three periods, Brentwood was up 77-44, and they were able to cruise to a 95-57 victory. Player of the Game Bruno C led the team with 18 points and six steals while Ian G had another stellar game off the bench scoring a game-high 19 points. Nathan P chipped in 15 points and five rebounds while big men Somto D and Olamide O posted identical stat lines of 10 points and eight rebounds. Since the game was in hand, Brentwood was able to rest key players for the finals the following day, something of great value when considering the late start of the semifinal.  Alas, the finals, a day looked forward to by players and fans alike. Due to the team making it to the finals, Brentwood sent over a bus of students to add to the already large number of families and alumni in attendance. They were to play the #3-seed King George Dragons, who had beaten the undefeated #2-seed Westsyde Whundas the previous night. The Dragons were an excellent defensive team with their length and athleticism in their 2-3 zone; Brentwood knew they would have to execute their zone attack superbly if they wanted a chance to win. Fortunately, the bright lights of the Arena Bowl did not phase the veteran team as it had the previous year. When the buzzer sounded for tip off, Brentwood was ready. The opening minutes were a back-and-forth affair, with both teams attempting to figure the other out; after five minutes of play, the score was 9-8 in Brentwood’s favour. Suddenly, Brendan S came to life. He hit back-to back-to back three-pointers to give Brentwood an 18-8 lead and following an and one by Olamide O, King George was forced to take a timeout, down 21-8. At the end of one quarter, Brentwood was up 26-12, absolutely buzzing with excitement and energy following the period’s success.  In the second quarter, Brentwood tightened up on defense, limiting King George to only eight points. On offense, Brentwood repetitively got the ball inside, leading to layups and free throws. With every made basket, the team got increasingly energized; they bounced into the locker room at halftime up 45-20. During the break, Coach Gage and Coach Sullivan applauded the team’s effort but urged them to keep the intensity up in the second. Having been down at half in last year’s final, they knew it was possible for a big lead to be wiped away in a hurry. The beginning of the third was rough for the Dragons; their starting center fouled out of the game two minutes into the period and they simply could not make a shot. Brentwood took full advantage, expanding their lead to as much as 33 points with their consistent interior presence. At the end of the quarter, King George managed to get some stops and pull even with Brentwood in the quarter in terms of scoring. Still, Brentwood had a 25-point lead heading into the final ten minutes. Neither team could swing the difference during the first five minutes as both squads hit shots. However, Brentwood’s depth and experience shone through the final minutes, and after losing another starting player due to fouls, the already devastated Dragons struggled, getting outscored by 11 points in the final five minutes. As the final horn sounded, Brentwood players and fans stormed the court to celebrate the team’s second consecutive AA Provincial Championship. It was a bittersweet moment filled with many hugs, cheers, and tears, as this was the final Brentwood basketball game for nine of the 12 players. Player of the Game Somto D racked up a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds while Brendan S led the team in scoring with 25 points, including five three-pointers. Bruno C nearly had a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, as did Nathan P with his nine points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. The play of Casper P and Will N, Ellis ‘18, should not go unnoticed; Casper had 10 points while playing superb defense all tournament long and Will had five points, including a three-pointer on Brentwood’s final possession that drove the bench crazy.  Following the game, there were several individual awards to be handed out. Coach Gage was recognized as the Championship Coach. Brentwood had two First Team All-Stars in Nathan P and Bruno C. Bruno C was also named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, an accomplishment that is even more impressive considering he played most of the tournament injured. Finally, Brendan Sullivan was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, leading Brentwood with his excellent shooting game in and game out. After the awards, Brentwood was presented with their gold medals and championship shirts. On their way out of the arena, each member of the team was able to cut off a piece of the net to remember the experience.  There’s no better way to end a high school basketball career than winning a championship with your teammates – no – your family. Over the course of the years (as early as Grade 9 for some of these boys), the team has grown closer and closer together, developing unreal chemistry on the court and an eternal bond off of it. They’ve been through the hard losses together, grinded through practices and conditioning sessions together, shared many meals together; we truly are a family. That family also expands beyond the players. Calvin C, Privett ‘18, was the team’s manager; his efforts in filming games and reserving restaurants are greatly appreciated. Bus driver Richard “Richie” Watson has safely transported the boys across the province numerous times, always providing some Gatorade and humour along the way. Athletic trainer Laurel Calhoun has put up with these boys and their physical maladies (and Bruno’s gross feet) for the past two years, something the players are definitely thankful for. And above all, Coach Gage and Coach Sullivan have been vital members of this family. Coach Sullivan instilled this sense of brotherhood in the boys during their junior days, leading them to a Junior Provincial Championship in 2016; his presence as an assistant coach over the past two years and been invaluable to the team’s success. Coach Gage provided intense, focused instruction to the boys, truly drawing the best out of each player; though he demanded excellence, he always threw in some humour and fun. Without either coach, the team would not have achieved the level of success they did, or be the young men they are today; for that, the boys thank you.  Aside from those thanked above, the team would like to thank all the fans who have supported Brentwood over the years. From athletes’ families to students to Brentwood alumni, the team always had a crowd cheering them on, regardless of where they played: we always felt at home. As the team now loses 9 of its 12 players as they graduate (fingers crossed Fynn F, Rogers ‘19, stays next year), it will be easy to write them off in the future. However, with some strong Grade 11s returning, promising Grade 10s moving up, and two excellent coaches, the future of Brentwood basketball is still bright.  P.S. - As the curtains on my basketball career are drawn, I remember all the amazing memories made throughout my four years of playing for Brentwood. I’ve grown as a player and a person, and while I’m sad it is over, I’m optimistic for what the future holds for the program. Writing these articles provided me an outlet to relive all those moments on the court with the world and I’m grateful to Mr Ganley for the opportunity the gave me. Thank you to all of those who read my articles (be it on the blog or via Facebook or Twitter) and leave comments. This has truly been an awesome ride.  Olamide O, Privett ‘18