In one of the best games we’ve witnessed this year, two BC heavyweights stood toe to toe and traded blows for four quarters and two overtimes. In the end, the White Rock Christian Academy Warriors were able to outlast the Walnut Grove Gators, taking home 24th Annual Terry Fox Legal Beagle Invitational by the score of 86-80 in double overtime!

As he has all year, 2013 6’0 PG Tyus Allen led the way for White Rock. Allen finished with 28 points and was named as tournament MVP.

“He is the engine that drives our machine,” White Rock Head Coach Dale Shury told NPH after the game.

“When he decides to move around a defender there are not many guys in the province that can stop him.” Allen’s ability to create space and finish at the rim in a variety of ways was on full display in this game. His penetration, especially in transition, is the key to the Warriors attack. “He’s a special player,” Coach Shury said “I’m glad we don’t have to defend him.”

Also for White Rock, 2013 G/F Vartan Tanielian continued his stellar play, finishing with 21 points, including a number of key baskets late in regulation, and in both the overtimes. The 6-4 Tanielian guards every position, gets to the rim at will, has a great pull up jumper and is as consistent as he is versatile.

For Walnut Grove, PG Sam Shin led the Gators with 26 points and went head to head with Tyus Allen for a majority of the night.  Shin, a 5-11 dynamo, was very effective on offense displaying an impressive crossover, and mixing pull up jumpers with tough drives to the hoop.

Shin also has a nose for the ball, and effectively followed his shot, doing a great job of generating second chances for the Gators. Even more impressive was the work Shin did on the defensive end. He was named as the tournament’s top defensive player.

By his high standards 6-4 2014 G Jadon Cohee had a quiet game, finishing with only 12 points, but he made perhaps the play of the game to end regulation. With White Rock holding a two point lead and under seven seconds to play, Cohee picked off an inbounds play and barreled his way to the hoop, converting a tough layup to tie the game at 67.

Cohee’s superior athleticism and ability to avoid contact actually worked against him on this night as he failed to convert, or draw contact, on many of his forays to the hoop. In most games that we’ve seen this year, he either finishes those layups or does enough to get to the line for free throws.

To make matters worse, Cohee’s jumper also abandoned him; however he still did an outstanding job of getting past his defender and setting up his teammates with great looks. Given his past performances, and the dynamic nature of his game, it’s easy to expect Cohee to go off in every game, and to be somewhat disappointed when it doesn’t happen.

However, when he goes to the next level, and especially if he decides to play NCAA basketball, he likely won’t be asked to be his team’s primary scorer. Rather, as a lead guard, he’ll be called upon to defend, rebound, and initiate the offence, and in this game he did all of those things very well.

We’re certain to see more high scoring games from Cohee in the future, but it’s great to see that his game is far from being one dimensional.

Other Scores

3^rd/4^th Place Game:  Terry Fox 68 – Gleneagle 64

Terry Fox – Jomari Reyes, 25 points

Gleneagle – Denver Sparks-Guest, 19 points

 

5^th/6^th Place Game: #1 Kitsilano 78 – #9 Sardis 76

Kits – Luka Zaharijevic, 31 points.

 

7^th/8^th Place Game: Pitt Meadows 80 – Vancouver College 51

Pitt – Sebastian Marshall, 26 points. Jordan Rich 24 points.

Vancouver College – Christian Mair, 13 points.
Tournament Awards

MVP – Tyus Allen (6-0, 2013 PG – White Rock Christian Academy Warriors)

Top Defender – Sam Shin (5-11, 2013 PG – Walnut Grove Gators)

Terry Fox Award (Most Inspirational) – Trevor Casey (6-4, 2013 F – Terry Fox Ravens)

1^st Team All Stars

Tyus Allen (6-0, 2013 PG – White Rock Christian Academy Warriors)

Jadon Cohee (6-4, 2014 PG – Walnut Grove Gators)

Vartan Tanielian (6-4, 2013 G/F – White Rock Christian Academy Warriors)

Paul Getz (6-4, 2013 F – Walnut Grove Gators)

Jomari Reyes (5-8, 2015 PG – Terry Fox Ravens)

2^nd Team All Stars

Luka Zaharijevic (6-8, 2013 C – Kitsilano Blue Demons)

Eric Rogers (6-4, 2014 F – Sardis Falcons)

Denver Sparks-Guest (6-5, 2014 F – Gleneagle Talons)

Sam Shin (5-11, 2013 PG – Walnut Grove Gators)

Josh Mayorga (6-4, 2013 G – Walnut Grove Gators)