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Carihi continues to dominate as hoops season wraps up

The Carihi senior boys basketball team continued its mastery over crosstown rival Timberline in the final game of the regular season
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Carihi’s Sonny Hung

The Carihi senior boys basketball team continued its mastery over crosstown rival Timberline in the final game of the North Island AAA regular season.

But Tuesday’s 73-42 win at Timberline Secondary was not without its hiccups.

After racing to a 45-14 halftime lead — which included a 20-2 advantage in the second quarter, the visiting Tyees came out flat in the third quarter. They managed just one three-point basket by Nolan Morrson in the period as Timberline enjoyed a 14-3 edge in the period.

“We’re trying to get them to stay sharp in everything we do,” Carihi coach Ray Wilson said of his squad in its final tune-up for the playoffs. “They always work hard, but lose their mental focus at times.

“I also mixed up the lines a bit. I wanted to keep the five seniors together and get them out there for the final minute.”

The Tyees regrouped in the fourth quarter to put the game away, with Morrison continuing to pour in long-range shots en route to a team-high 19 points. That led an otherwise balanced effort as Carihi placed five scorers in double figures. Sonny Hung finished with 12 points and Brodie Doherty, Hunter Korol and Josh Nelson each scored 10.

Timberline post man Dale Straw gave Carihi fits down low and finished with a game-high 22 points, several coming from offensive rebounds and put-backs.

“We need to continue to work on our defence, keeping up the intensity,” said Wilson, who expected a challenge game this week from Ballenas Secondary School of Parksville. Bellenas placed third in the Mid-Island division and was expected to travel to Carihi, the No. 2 finisher in the North, for an elimination game to determine one of four representatives to the Island Championships.

Timberline, which finished third in the North, plans to travel to Nanaimo Christian, the Mid-Island runner-up, next Tuesday. Regardless of those results, both teams face another weekend of action as Timberline hosts the inaugural RCMP Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday.

The tournament, organized by RCMP member and volunteer Timberline coach Gord Hay, will feature eight teams.