In a showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Lockerby Vikings clashed with the Loellen Park Knights in the semi-final of the city basketball championship on Thursday, February 15th. The battle between the 3rd-seeded Vikings and the table-topping Knights lived up to its billing, culminating in a thrilling finale with a final score of 59-58 in favor of Lockerby.
The game unfolded as a series of intense exchanges, with each quarter adding to the drama. Despite a strong start from the Knights, who led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, the Vikings remained resilient. As the teams headed into halftime, Loellen Park maintained a narrow lead, with the scoreboard reading 33-30 in their favor.
However, the Vikings refused to be deterred, mounting a comeback in the second half. Though the Knights continued to hold onto their lead, Lockerby gradually closed the gap, setting the stage for a dramatic final quarter. With tensions running high and the outcome hanging in the balance, the Vikings delivered when it mattered most, clinching victory by the narrowest of margins with a final score of 59-58.
Leading the charge for Lockerby were standout performances from Owen Turner, who contributed 14 points, and Zeb Dennie, who led the scoring with an impressive 19 points. Adam Selalmatzidis added 11 points to the tally, while Xander Kasunizh, Dilain Abeyratne, and Liam Binks also made crucial contributions with 8, 4, and 3 points respectively.
Despite the valiant efforts of the Knights, who were spearheaded by Quin Mazzuchin's remarkable 25 points, along with Will Church's 14 points and Adam Scott's 8 points, they fell agonizingly short in the dying moments of the game. Brayden Legendre, Shiloh Sauve, and Mateo Volpini also made valuable contributions to the Loellen Park offense.
Credit must be given to the coaching staff who guided their teams through this intense encounter. Chris Binks provided strategic direction for the Lockerby Vikings, while Mac Bertrand led the Loellen Park Knights with skill and determination.
Beyond the stars on the court, the depth of talent on both rosters was evident throughout the game. For Lockerby, the likes of Brenden Cotesta, Graham Binks, Tanner Borkovich, Ben Bisaillon, and Austin Monahan provided essential support, while Loellen Park boasted a formidable lineup including Kalev Timusk, Marco Cecchetto, Jacob Clarte, Hunter Laplante, Anish Patel, and Joel Ankomah.
As the dust settles on this epic semi-final clash, the Lockerby Vikings can savor their hard-fought victory. However, they must quickly shift their focus to the championship final against the Lassale Lancers, where an even tougher challenge awaits them at the home of the Lancers.