Everybody agrees the Timberline senior boys basketball team is improving.
But the Wolves have a little way to go to catch up with their cross-town rivals.
Brodie Doherty scored a game-high 20 points and teammate Jaret Knowles added 19 as the Carihi Tyees rolled to a 65-46 AAA North league victory over Timberline at Carihi Tuesday night.
“That was nowhere near as strong as we’ve been playing lately,” Carihi coach Donnie Fitzpatrick said. “But our defense was outstanding. We got out and scored a lot of baskets in transition.”
Leading 31-20 at halftime, the Tyees broke the game open with a 13-2 run to open the third quarter. Doherty had 10 points and Braxton Barnes scored seven of his 14 in the period as Carihi extended its lead to 53-27 before Timberline mounted a late rally.
“In that third quarter we definitely lost the handle on the game,” Timberline coach Gord Hay said. “But we did come back and outscore them in the fourth, and our turnovers were down in the second half. I’m very pleased with the guys’ output.”
Post man Dale Straw led Timberline (2-7) with 18 points and Midah Ash added 13 in the loss.
Both teams played with fewer than eight players, and Fitzpatrick credited Barnes for a “phenomenal” game while battling back from a bout with the flu. Hay noted the short bench dictated the Wolves’ tempo and style of play, limiting opportunities to press or force a fast-break attack.
“You can still be aggressive, but you’ve also got to stay controlled,” Hay said.
Carihi sits in second place in the three-team North division, following a recent loss to Mark Isfeld Secondary of Courtenay. Timberline trails the pack, but is making strides to close the gap.
“Overall, that was a good effort,” said Fitzpatrick. “Their team is getting better.”
Carihi 65, Timberline 46
Timberline scoring – Dale Straw 18, Midah Ash 13, Kyle Dawson 6, Drew Savery 4, Greg Hay 4, Dalton Marchand 1.
Carihi scoring – Brodie Doherty 20, Jaret Knowles 19, Braxton Barnes 14, Dace Harle 7, Hunter Korol 6, Ross Griffin 3.