The Pitt Meadows Marauders Air Force cruised to another tournament title last week as the local high school team hosted some of the top senior boys’ basketball programs in the province at their 2012 Air Show tournament.
The win was the third in a row for the Marauders at their own tourney, as the No. 2-ranked team in the province made short work of its competition.
Pitt opened the Air Show tournament with a 76-57 win over Mt. Boucherie secondary of West Kelowna. Trevor Severinski scored 21 first-half points as Marauders coach Rich Goulet opted to sit his starters for the final two quarters.
Pitt faced the Delta secondary Pacers next, defeating them 84-44 in front of a packed gym. The Marauders had no troubles with Delta’s zone defence as Severinski put up 25 points, while Matt Blackaby had 17.
In the semi-finals, Pitt Meadows faced Duncan’s Cowichan secondary, downing them 69-43. Severinski had 23 points, while Blackaby had 18.
That win set up the tournament final with the No. 9-ranked Mt. Douglas Rams of Victoria on Saturday night. The two teams met last month in the final of the North Shore Invitational Tournament, with Pitt winning by 15 points.
Saturday’s game had a similar result with Pitt again winning by a double-digit margin, this time 58-46.
The Rams jumped all over the Pitt defence early, forcing Goulet to substitute his starters.
The Marauders’ defence responded, and by halftime, Pitt Meadows had pulled into the lead.
Mt. Doug switched to a zone defence in the second half, shutting down the Pitt Marauders’ offence late in the third quarter.
The Marauders’ recovered in the fourth quarter, however, and pulled ahead for the 58-46 win, and their third straight Air Show title.
Severinski again led the Marauders with 23 points, while Mitsu Iwai had 16 points.
Severinski was named the tournament’s MVP, while Blackaby and Iwai were named to the tournament’s first and second all-star team, respectively.
AAA Fraser Valley North league play picks up this week with the Marauders facing Port Moody’s Heritage Woods secondary this Friday on the road.
The Marauders Air Force are headed to Kelowna Feb. 2 to 4 for the Western Canada Basketball Tournament where they will face the No. Kelowna Owls, as well as Edmonton’s Harry Ainlay High School, the No. 1 team in Alberta.
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