(BOYS) Collingwood tops Archbishop MacDonald in Tourney Opener "White Out"
December 5, 2019
Written by Scott Leigh, Handsworth Grad ‘06
Collingwood Cavaliers Sr. Boys v. Archbishop MacDonald Marauders
Collingwood has spared no expense in the preparation for their opening “White Out” Spirit Game with the crowd dressed in all white in support of the home squad. The drum line is out, the seats are packed and the boys are all decked out in their No Regrets swag.
Collingwood has showed the Quinn Keast Foundation video to all of its students this morning, giving the inspiration behind the No Regrets Basketball Tournament.
We are joined court-side by none other than Adrian, the Collingwood announcer. The Cavaliers can only hope they come out with as much energy as Adrian “the Announcer” (trademark pending). I say this honestly, aside from Adrian the Announcer I think the most difficult job out here is the guy who has to memorize and carry out all of the handshakes with each starter as they are announced. Impressive!
Archbishop is feeling fresh after arriving from Edmonton yesterday, a solid nights rest behind them and some warmer temperatures here in Vancouver to loosen up those legs. Also, I would be amiss to not show some love for this squad of Edmontonians, after spending my university basketball career with the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Enough background, let’s play some ball!
Initial reaction - this will not be a battle of the bigs! All players appear to be ranging from 5’8 to 6’3. A back and forth affair as each team figures out eachother’s playing strategies, and brings their heart rate down after the pre-game excitement.
A lot of defensive pressure and some missed shots by both teams has Collingwood with a slight lead 4-2 midway through the first Q. Devin La from Archbishop looks to change that three point percentage with a deep 3 from the corner, and Lochlan Collins from the Cavaliers is hoping to join in that trend after some first quarter misses from deep. Both squads couldn’t throw a pea in the ocean to start this game, but it has picked up to finish the first quarter. Collingwood 19 : Archbishop 10.
No shortage of entertainment at this game with the drum line, mascots and dance squads.
Both teams have now settled into their offences and are starting to execute in the half court, leading to high percentage shots. DJ, #1, for the Cavaliers, has come off the bench flying with energy forcing the Marauders into a number of turnovers. Hard to miss the blonde frosted tips flow as he hustles around the court. The shooting from Archbishop has improved and they have tied this game up at 21 a piece. Lachlan is still finding his range with his jumper, but he is having no issues putting his opponent on skates to create opportunities for his team.
Barry Castello has come off the bench for Collingwood in the second quarter and brought some production on the offensive end. A three from the corner plus the and-1 finish at the rim has put his team up 9. Speaking of peas, a late incident of a bunny hop in the pea patch by the Marauders results in an easy bucket on the other end. A few too many turnovers for Archbishop has led to this Cavalier lead, and the Marauders will be looking to flop the script in the second half. Halftime score - Collingwood 38 : Archbishop 27.
To nobody’s surprise, the Cavalier Drum Line is putting on an absolute show at half. Are we at a high school game in early December or a Duke Blue Devils game in March?! Incredible.
Halftime Facts: Short shorts are still in. After last year I thought we may be trending towards longer shorts, but if the Marauders are any indication, we are headed the opposite direction.
Halftime Baller Glossary:
Bunny hop in the pea patch = travel
Both squads have come out with energy to start the second half, pushing the ball in transition and looking for easy buckets. Some nice finishes in the lane combined with a few made threes has the Collingwood lead down to 5 mid-way through the third quarter. The pressure that each team is coming out with has picked up the pace of the game and the scrappiness level - the boys are fighting hard for a big W in the first round of the No Regrets Basketball Tournament. Collingwood up 9 at the end of the third Q.
The Marauders are going to have to put the lockdown on D and continue to find easy buckets in transition to get themselves back into this game, and give them a chance at earning the win. Arthur Na is not a fan of that plan, as he hits a deep three from the corner for the Cavaliers. The home fans really enjoyed that one, bringing out the umbrellas to protect themselves from Na making it rain. Let’s hope the positive vibes the fans instil in their team outweighs the bad luck they will endure as a result of opening umbrellas inside!
‘Shooters keep shooting’, and that is a philosophy that Lochlan stands behind as his inevitable first three is knocked down in this fourth quarter. The Cavaliers have stretched the lead to 18 with 5 minutes left in the game. It is now or never time for the Marauders. Collingwood has run away with this game late in the fourth, putting it well out of reach for the visiting Marauders from Edmonton.
What a great game to start the 2019 No Regrets Basketball Tournament. The administration, the students and the volunteers here at Collingwood put on an absolute show in the production of their “White Out” Spirit Game, and their basketball team followed it up with a solid win! Kudos, and best of luck to both the Cavaliers and Marauders in the rest of the tourney.
Final Score: Collingwood 79 : Archbishop 52.
No Regrets.