East Coast Roundup – UPEI Top Dog and NB High School Playoffs
The UPEI Panthers visited the UNB Varsity Reds with first place in the AUS on the line, and what I saw from the UPEI Panthers was more than impressive.
UPEI completely controlled the game, taking a very close contest and blowing it open in the 4th Q through intense defense and timely shot making.
UPEI’s big three of Tyler Scott, Ellis Ffrench and Brad States played lights out down the stretch. Ffrench was making timely jumpers, going 9-17 from the field with 34 points and controlled the tempo of the game offensively for the Panthers.
Tyler Scott had a number of big plays but his two jumpers off the dribble with a defender in his face showed what a BIG SHOT maker he is, deflating any opportunity for a UNB run.
Brad States produced offensively, but more importantly was rotating defensively and creating chaos at the rim for UNB. States not only altered shots, but also stepped in and took key charges not allowing Javon Masters his usual parade to the FT line.
As UNB pushed to match the open style in which UPEI plays so effectively they faltered and became individualistic and UPEI exploited them for a 104-85 win and first place in the conference.
2014-15 AUS Men’s Basketball Standings
| GP | W | L | Win % | Streak | PF | PA | Pts | |
| *UPEI | 17 | 13 | 4 | 0.765 | Won 3 | 1602 | 1512 | 34 |
| *UNB | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0.750 | Lost 1 | 1423 | 1258 | 32 |
| *Saint Mary’s | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0.625 | Won 5 | 1357 | 1314 | 28 |
| *Dalhousie | 16 | 8 | 8 | 0.500 | Lost 2 | 1241 | 1230 | 24 |
| Cape Breton | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0.529 | Won 2 | 1365 | 1348 | 24 |
| Memorial | 16 | 5 | 11 | 0.312 | Lost 2 | 1228 | 1321 | 14 |
| Acadia | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0.250 | Lost 5 | 1176 | 1243 | 10 |
| StFX | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0.250 | Lost 4 | 1175 | 1341 | 10 |
With Saint Mary’s getting two solid wins over Memorial at home this weekend they have pushed into a strong playoff position and can challenge for a top two finish and a first round bye.
As the remaining 3 to 4 games for each team are loaded with 4 point games a loss at this point can be devastating to playoff positioning where a win could move a team greatly. The fight continues and the last two weeks of the regular season are going to be explosive.
New Brunswick High School Hoops
New Brunswick is the first province in the country to get there playoffs going with two Regional tournaments.
Fredericton High was successful in obtaining the #1 seed and hosting rights to next weekends sectional by winning their Regional which was hosted at Kennebecasis.
In the semi Finals Fredericton won a tough 93-89 game over Kennebecasis behind Stanley Mayambo’s 39 and Soo Wong Park’s 15. Chris Spurrell had 25 and Jack Tiley 18 for KVHS.
In the other semi final Leo Hayes cruised by Saint John High 83-68 behind Mitch Claybourn’s 26 and Val Nelson’s 17. Matt Brown and Devon Rector put up 24 and 17 respectively.
In the final and another east coast shootout Fredericton topped cross town rival Leo Hayes 101-90. Soo Wong Park netted 22 and Ian Carty 20 for Fredericton and Mitch Claybourn 33 and Val Nelson had 28 for Leo Hayes.
The other Regional took place at Riverview High and Riverview prevailed as the number 1 seed. Sorry did not receive complete scores on this event.
The Sectionals go this Friday at Fredericton high and Riverview High with the winners of each advancing to the provincial final the following weekend at Harbour Station in Saint John New Brunswick.
Fredericton High Sectional
Semi Final 1: #1 Fredericton vs #4 MacNaughton
Semi Final 2 #3 Kennebecasis vs #2 Miramichi
Riverview Sectional
Semi Final 1: #2 Leo Hayes vs # 3 Moncton
Semi Final 2: #1 Riverview vs #4 Saint John
