A miracle shot landed the College Heights Cougars in the city championship game.
They could do without that kind of drama when they tip off against the D.P. Todd Trojans tonight at the Northern Sport Centre. But, given the head-to-head match-ups between the two senior boys basketball teams this season, the city final could be another pulse-pounder.
In previous meetings, the Cougars and Trojans each have one victory. The latest battle -- with Prince George bragging rights on the line -- will start at 8 p.m.
"I think it's going to be a close game," said Sam Goodrich, a Grade 12 point guard for the Cougars. "D.P. Todd has been to the finals before so they know what to expect. A lot of their players are returning, so they'll be ready. For us, it's our first time but we're pretty excited."
Last year, the Trojans faced the Duchess Park Condors in the championship final and lost 77-72. The Cougars, meanwhile, haven't been in position to win the city title in years. So, both clubs will have plenty of motivation to come out on top.
"We have one [city] banner [in school history], so the guys really want one more," Goodrich said. "We're going to have to move the ball around. We play well when we move the ball and work as a team."
The Cougars and Trojans are both deep in talent. The College Heights lineup is anchored by Goodrich and also features prime-time shooters Nolan Hanson, Rajen Bhullar and Matt Badial. As for the Trojans, Ethan Bhangu and Jai Kaushal are often their two scoring leaders.
Last Wednesday, in a city semifinal against the Condors, Hanson was the man who hit the miraculous bucket for the Cougars. With just 0.8 seconds left on the clock, he accepted an inbound pass just outside the three-point line, turned, and fired over top of a Duchess defender. The ball found all net, and the Cougars had themselves a 70-68 win.
In the other semifinal, the Trojans beat the PGSS Polars 106-69.
The senior girls city final will also be on the NSC court tonight. It will start at 6 and will also see the Cougars take on the Trojans. D.P. Todd heads into the contest as the defending champion.
The opportunity to win back-to-back titles hasn't been mentioned during Trojan training sessions.
"I don't look at it as being important as back-to-back, I look at it as being important to win it," said coach Reid Roberts. "Regardless of what happened last year, you sort of have to base it on what your team looks like [this year]. It's not a pressure situation for us. I just want to go in and tell the girls to have some fun and kind of enjoy it -- especially the Grade 12s."
The Trojans haven't lost to the Cougars this season. This past weekend, at a College Heights tournament, D.P. Todd beat College Heights 72-60.
"The fact that it was close just reaffirms that they are a very good team and we have to be ready for them," Roberts said. "We've got to defend their three-point shooters, especially someone like Taylor Kettles. If she's within two feet of the three-point line and she's got an open look, she's going to make it."
Key individuals for the Trojans include Grade 12 forward Piper Hoekstra and Grade 12 point guard Danielle Steel. D.P. Todd has also been bolstered this season by Grade 10 forward Tenley Pearce and Grade 9 guard Dorion Van Caeseele.
"The key for us this year has been the balanced scoring," Roberts said.
