The Kelowna Owls continued their winning ways on Friday at the Interior Savings Western Canada Basketball Tournament.
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But to extend their eight-game victory streak in the annual event will require breaking a three-game string of losses this season to their opponent in Saturday’s championship game (7 p.m.) at Kelowna Secondary School.
B.C.’s No. 2-ranked Owls, who breezed to a 93-55 triumph over the No. 7 Semiahmoo Totems in semifinal play, will be up against the province’s No. 1 Walnut Grove Gators of Langley, a team they have yet to overcome in three confrontations this B.C. quad-A boys high school campaign.
The Gators, earning a berth in the Western Canada final by defeating the No. 3-ranked Oak Bay Bays 72-60 in semifinal play on Friday, have beaten the Owls 83-62, 68-64 and 90-84 thus far in 2016-17.
But the Owls, Western Canada champions the past two years, appeared primed for an upset with a commanding performance against Semiahmoo on Friday in the 44th edition of the event.
Led by guard Mason Bourcier and his 38 points and team-best nine rebounds, the Owls sprinted to a 26-11 first-quarter lead, and with a relentless defence, never let up against the Totems. It was 43-27 at the half and 73-39 going into the final quarter.
Post forward, Owen Keyes, was the only other Owl in double figures (17), but overall, 10 of the Black and Gold scored at least two points. Casey Piopita, netted nine points in just six minutes of floor time.
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