Delta Pacers Grade 8 boys basketball team concluded one of its best seasons in school history with a third place finish at last week's Invitational Provincial Championships.
After capturing the Delta District title in mid-February and finishing third at the Fraser Valley Championships later that month, the Pacers headed to the 16-team provincial tournament in Pitt Meadows as the fifth seed.
As they have demonstrated all season, the boys proved to be up for the challenge as they played their best basketball of the year over the three-day event.
Coach Aaron Akune's team opened play last Thursday against Skaha Lake Middle School from Penticton. Starters Jacob Cowley, Jas Singh, Duncan Ross and Cam Ratzlaff all scored in double figures, while Mitch Robinson, Tyler Jones, Carter Warn, Parker Strukoff and Brennan Matharu contributed solid minutes off the bench on route to a 66-35 victory.
Friday morning's quarter-final game featured a rematch with Walnut Grove, a team whom the Pacers defeated in a close ball game just 10 days earlier during the Fraser Valley Championships.
Once again the trio of Singh, Cowley and Ratzlaff stepped up with solid offensive performances, while Ross, guard Jared Ferreira and forward Cam Gray frustrated the Gators main offensive threats with their intense defense.
After a buzzer beating three-point shot by Singh pushed the Pacers to a 23-16 lead at halftime, they relied on intense defensive pressure and fast break baskets to extend the margin in the third quarter. Delta went on to defeat the Langley school 54-38.
Friday evening's semi-final saw the Pacers match up against No.
1 ranked MEI, one of only five teams who had beaten them all season.
The Pacers began the game in strong fashion, leading 17-9 after one quarter and 27-23 at halftime. Behind some strong defensive play the Pacers extended their lead to 11 points entering the fourth quarter.
The Eagles came soaring back in the final eight minutes and the teams were tied at 57-57 at the end of regulation. The Abbosford went on to outscore Delta in the five minute overtime period for a 66-61 victory.
Heading into Saturday's third place game with Burnaby's St. Thomas More, the big question was how the Pacers would respond to the adversity and emotional let down from the night before. True to form, they played with pride and energy. Important contributions from Dylan Bubel, Keatan Mann, Conor Edgson and Jack Kraemer provided a big inspiration to the Pacers, who took charge of a close ball game midway through the fourth quarter and went on to a 48-43 victory.
It was the Pacers best finish at the provincials since 2006 when they reached the championship game. That same nucleus of players went on to qualify for the AAA Provincials as seniors in 2010
The strong run at the provincials caps a magical season for the young Pacers and points to a bright future for the DSS basketball program.
