Carson Graham Eagles Stretch Their Wings to Victory Over the SMUS Blue Jags

Carson Graham Eagles vs. St. Michael’s University School (SMUS) Blue Jags

December 12, 2025

Carson Graham takes home court on a typical, gloomy North Vancouver day, where SMUS looks to shake off the ferry legs and would love to upset the home squad. Both teams are coming off double digit losses to open the tournament, which one will get a win in the books entering the weekend? Carson Graham is wearing their grey with white and red trim while SMUS is suited up in black with blue and red accents.

The game tipped off just after 3pm with Carson taking the opening possession thanks to Fitzgerald’s (CG#14) height advantage. The play resulted in a foul and Carson went to the line but missed on both attempts; this would be a theme for the night. SMUS countered with some quick passing and a nice 3-point shot by #6, Dani Pelyhe, to open the score. Carson was quick the other way and Perez (CG#5) made a nice shot from under the basket. Both teams were strong on defence for the following handful of possessions. Fitzgerald for carson was able to get a lay up after using his height advantage to snag a rebound. Carson intercepted a Blue Jags pass on the next possession and Ryan (CG12) was able to put a lay up in to take the lead by 1. Carson Graham, struggling from the free throw line, went 0-2 again and failed to open up the lead. Both teams exchanged missed 3-point tries as we entered the late stages of the first quarter. SMUS got the lead back by 1 after a drive to the net was successful but Carson countered back and went up 8-7. Calinsan (CG#4), went to the line after a foul while driving the basket but again went 0-2, luckily his teammate was there to get the rebound and the two points. With the clock winding down in the first quarter SMUS was able to take the ball away but the buzzer beater from 30 ft. was unsuccessful.

Score at the end of the first Quarter: Carson 10 – SMUS 7

The first minute of the second quarter was scoreless thanks to great defensive play by both teams. Mackay (SMUS #3), off the bench, was able to put back a floater over the Carson defender to close the lead to 1. They took the lead shortly after with a basket; Carson answered with 2 of their own but SMUS answered right back with 2 as well. Perez for Carson went to the free throw line…the home team finally was able to get a free throw and the 1 point lead. After a debatable moving block was called on Carson Graham, much to the chagrin of Coach Donohoe, SMUS took possession but couldn’t connect after some strong ball movement. Nicholas (CG#7) drained their first 3 pointer of the day to tie the game at 17.

With just over 3 minutes left in the first half, SMUS coach Daly opted to take a time out and regroup, whiteboard in hand. Both teams made some substitutions to get fresh bodies out there, with the towering Fitzgerald (CG#14) checking back into the game. Carson Graham fans were quick to use their home court advantage and made a ruckus while Kang (SMUS #1) was at the free throw line. It seemed to work as he was unsuccessful on both attempts leaving the score knotted still at 17.

Carson Graham was unable to score after SMUS was called for a charge however they stopped SMUS on their possession thanks to a 3 second violation. Calinsan (CG #4) got stripped of the ball after the inbound and they were able to score 2, plus the foul. Thanks to some gritty work down low with seconds left, Carson was able to close the gap to 1 at the buzzer. It’s a tight game after the first half with the home team down 1. Teams were Combined 2 for 13 from the free throw line (15 %) in the first half.

Score at half: Carson Graham 19 – SMUS 20

The teams switched ends to start the second half, with SMUS having the opening possession but a blocked pass was recovered by Carson. They took the lead with a nice 3-point basket on the counter. Neither team had been able to string together consistent scoring, keeping the game close. SMUS went to the line for a free throw after a score and foul, to take a narrow 1 point lead. Harvee (CG #5) was able to make a lay up at the other end, his many friends seated behind me were thrilled. Pelyhe (SMUS #6) was able to get a long 2 point shot to go on the following possession. Coach Donahoe had some words with the referee after a foul was called on the opponent but felt the shot clock should have been reset; he may have had a point. Harvee for Carson Graham tied it with a smooth 3 pointer resulting in a 27-27 tie. Carson took the lead by 2 with a rebound and put back by the prominent #14. The lead didn’t last long with black answering back with a 3 pointer of their own. Both squads exchanged successful possessions following.

The scoring has opened up a bit with the game tied at 32 with two a half minutes left. Carson swiftly took the lead off a nice layup, but it didn’t last long (shocker!) as SMUS came back to score themselves. We have a back-and-forth affair here with lead changes more plentiful than the North Vancouver rain.

Carson Graham has been leaning on their rebounding and height advantage while SMUS seems to have a slight speed advantage. Some exciting moments in the last 30 seconds when SMUS, like a jaguar on the prowl, stole the ball but were unable to sink the layup. Without much time on the clock, the Eagles couldn’t get a last-minute shot to go and were sitting down a point going into the final 10 minutes. It was a much more eventful 3rd quarter with both teams almost doubling their score and my fingers struggling to keep up. After 3 quarters, neither team had been able to get ahead by more than 3 points.

Score at the end of the first Quarter: Carson 38 – SMUS 39

Carson opened the fourth quarter with the ball and scored after winning the rebound on 2 of their own failed shots but succeeding on the 3rd. Ryan (CG #12) went to the line to try and add to the narrow lead; he was able to get 1 to go… 41-39 for Carson. The SMUS Blue Jags seem to be feeling the pressure from the Carson Graham defence and have been stymied on their three possessions to open the half. They managed their first points of the half thanks to a 3-point shot from #6, tying the closely contested game. Pelyhe was able to further get his team ahead with 2 from the free throw line. Carson answered back with Fitzgerald scoring while fouled and sinking the free throw for a 3-point gain. SMUS tried a pick and roll 3 pointer that wouldn’t go, and Carson was able so sink a 3 of their own. Carson opened the first lead of more than 3 points of the game, 52-46 with 4 and a half minutes left. Can they hang on to the lead or will the Blue Jags claw back within reach?

Carson, cold from the free throw line all game, was able to get a single backet to bring the lead to 7. Pressure was mounting for SMUS to get back into the game in the final 3 minutes while Carson faced the pressure of hanging on for a home court win. The lead is narrowed slightly to 7 thanks to an underhand shot by 10 in black.

As we entered the final 2 minutes, the Eagles sat on a 9-point lead and the win within their talons. SMUS was trying mightily but couldn’t get the shots to go. Carson Graham’s finger roll bucket by #5 and 2 shot blocks by the outstretched wingspan of Carson #14 were clutch to keep the largest lead of the day. The clock wound down with a 12-point lead and strong 4th quarter to seal the win for the Carson Graham Eagles. Both teams fought mightily all afternoon, but SMUS ran out of gas, and Carson, leaning on their defence, soared to victory.