In terms of overall team height, the D.P. Todd Trojans didn't measure up to the John McInnis Royals. But, the Trojans did find a way to top the Royals on the scoreboard.
During Saturday's final game of a junior B boys basketball tournament at John McInnis, the Trojans beat their hosts 63-47. The D.P. Todd players managed to get some of the key John McInnis starters into early foul trouble and used their absence to full advantage. Still, the score remained close throughout the first half. Just seconds before the buzzer sounded to send the teams into the break, D.P. Todd point guard Sean Gaiesky nailed a three-pointer and moved the Trojans into a 29-26 lead.
The Trojans fed off that momentum in the third quarter and then threw a full-court press at the Royals. The strategy worked, and D.P. Todd went on a 10-0 scoring run, good for a 47-34 advantage. From there, the Trojans -- led by the defensive efforts of post player Sam Kirkaldy -- didn't let the Royals back into the game.
At the end of the tournament, Gaiesky got the nod as most valuable player.
"He was chosen as MVP because of how great a leader he was this weekend and how much control he had on the court," said D.P. Todd co-coach Dallas Cote, who works with fellow sideline boss Alex Sergeev. "He wasn't forcing passes, took good open shots, played hard defence and when plays weren't working he found a way to make it happen. He definitely is a great all-around player."
--- The Nechako Valley Viqueens successfully defended their home turf.
Saturday night in Vanderhoof, the Viqueens won their own senior girls basketball tournament when they beat the PGSS Polars 59-38 in the championship game. The Viqueens, under the leadership of head coach Joel Mueller, are currently a top-10 team in the double-A provincial rankings. The Polars are unranked at the triple-A level.
In the semifinal round, the Polars had squeaked past the D.P. Todd Trojans, 59-58.
Saturday's bronze-medal game was an all-Prince George match-up and saw the Trojans defeat the College Heights Cougars 67-52. Katlyn Roberts led the winners with 26 points.
This coming weekend, the PGSS, D.P. Todd and Duchess Park senior girls teams will all compete in the Sabre-Titan Classic in Kamloops. Local senior boys squads will gather at Kelly Road for a tournament.
