Win or lose, playing in the is a guaranteed learning experience for the host 91大黄鸭 Owls.
The 45th edition of the storied annual event was no different for Harry Parmar鈥檚 Owls who finished the always electric, pressure-packed weekend at KSS with one win in three games.
鈥淚 thought they handled themselves well,鈥� Parmar said of his team鈥檚 response to the hype surrounding the event. 鈥淲e just have to be better at executing than we were. We learned some things and saw what holes we have to fill, so we鈥檒l continue to work on those.鈥�
Ranked No. 10 among 4A teams in the province, KSS opened the tournament with an 85-63 loss to the considerably bigger Vincent Massey Trojans from Winnipeg. Parker Johnstone led the Owls with 18 points, while Matt Williamson and Cole McAvoy had 10 points each.
鈥淲e had trouble with their size,鈥� said Parmar. 鈥淟uckily there aren鈥檛 any teams in B.C. that big.鈥�
In Game 2 on Friday, the Semiamhoo Totems got the . The Owls led by a point at the half but couldn鈥檛 deliver the offense when needed over the final 20 minutes of play.
鈥淲e had an opportunity to win, but just couldn鈥檛 execute down the stretch,鈥� Parmar said.
Johnstone paced the Owls with 22 points, while Williamson had 14.
KSS finished the weekend on a high note with a Saturday over the Marion Graham Falcons from Saskatoon.
Johnstone scored 20 points, Hunter Simson had 19 points and nine rebounds, while Williamson put up 18 points and nine assists.
Johnstone, a Grade 11 guard, led KSS with 60 points over the three games.
鈥淧arker had a great tournament,鈥� said Parmar. 鈥淗e worked hard offensively, he worked his butt off on defense and he got rewarded for it.鈥�
Edmonton鈥檚 Harry Ainley captured the 2018 title at WCBT, defeating Abbotsford鈥檚 WJ Mouat 77-61 in Saturday night鈥檚 final.
The Owls will now work towards preparing for the Okanagan Valley 4A boys Feb. 23 and 24 in Salmon Arm.
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