West Van Sr Boys Defeat Cochrane (Alberta) to Advance to An All-West-Van Matchup in Round 2

West Vancouver Highlanders Sr. Boys VS Cochrane Cobras 

(photo credit: Carol Horn)

It’s opening day at this year’s No Regrets tournament! West Vancouver’s gymnasium is featuring the home team Highlanders VS the Cochrane Cobras who have travelled from Alberta to be here. The stands are absolutely packed and that has the home team buzzing out to a 6-2 lead. This early momentum causes the Cobras to call a timeout to try and slow things down. After the timeout, Cochrane guard #7 Tristan Lalande hits 3 pointer to bring his team within one. As the quarter moves along, it’s very clear it’s going to be an extremely tight game with these well matched squads. After the first quarter the score is 13-11 for the home team.

West Van’s #10 Luis Lara Alvarez opens the second quarter with some airtime getting a rebound and a bucket in the same jump, a play smoother than a fresh jar of peanut butter. This seems to ignite his team as they erupt for a massive 15 point run, scoring on nearly every offensive possession. The visiting Albertans call a timeout to try and stop this madness. West Vancouver appears to be a very well balanced squad but it’s clear #10 Lara Alvaraz and guard and captain #5 Calvin Kuzyk are standouts on this squad. What a dream quarter for the home team. Head Coach Paul Eberhardt, sporting a Christmas red suit jacket, must be thrilled. After a beautiful basket by the Highlanders #6 Cassius Gregorian, it’s 45-24 at the half.

In a rarely seen move, head coach Eberhardt grabs the mic at half time and gets the crowd fired up with a t-shirt toss from his senior players. He then offers $100, of what he alleges was his own money, for a fan to hit a half-court shot. Unfortunately, no one is able to hit it but this man is 1/2 basketball coach, 1/2 amazing entertainer. Clearly he is content with his teams big lead letting them watch the madness from the bench while the visitors work on a game plan in the dressing room. 

Cochrane guard #8 Carter Holt starts the second half with a three pointer; he and Lalande have worked very well together in the backcourt. They connect again half way through the quarter off of a set play. Lalande is an absolute water bug out there, driving, dishing, hitting long range jumpers.

The fourth quarter starts with an “And One” from West Vancouver’s #8 Jake Greenwood to stretch the lead. Unless Santa Clause himself brings the Cobra’s 20 points it doesn’t look like they’ll be able to get back into this one. The final score is 81-56 for West Van. All the credit to Cochrane for never giving up, and more importantly, making the trip from Alberta to be here at this year’s “No Regrets” tournament. The Cobra’s will take on Prince George tomorrow while the Highlanders will take part in an all-West Vancouver clash with Collingwood.

Good luck to both teams the rest of the way. 

West Van 81- Cochrane 56

West Van’s Kuzyk 28pts

Cochrane’s Lalande 18 pts

POG: Kuzyk