The Maple Ridge Ramblers picked up a third place finish at the Walnut Grove senior boys’ basketball tournament last weekend.
The Ramblers defeated Fleetwood Park 68-67 in the first game thanks to the performance of Jacob Durkovich, with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
However, a hand injury knocked Durkovich out of the game in the fourth quarter, and out of the tournament. Joel Lutz had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Max Neumann had 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight recoveries.
In the semi-finals, Maple Ridge fell 49-34 to the Mission Roadrunners, who would go on to win the tournament championship. Neumann led the Ramblers with 18 points, while Lincoln Clarke had an outstanding defensive performance with eight recoveries.
The team rallied in the third-place game defeating St. Thomas More 53-46. The Ramblers responded to Durkovich’s absence with an intense game that saw the team lead 33-22 at the half. St. Thomas More fought back to within two points, with the Ramblers up 39-37 at the end of the third quarter. Maple Ridge was able to pull away in the fourth quarter thanks to Neumann’s performance, with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six recoveries. He had lots of help from Pavel Niemirski, who had 10 points, and from Lutz with 12 rebounds. Matt Connor and Lincoln Clarke also had outstanding defensive games.
The Ramblers head to Abbotsford for the W. J. Mouat tournament next weekend before traveling to California during the Christmas break.