The Elphinstone senior boys are one win away from a North Shore championship.
The Cougars clinched their spot in the title game after winning their first two playoff games.
Elphi started last Friday night (Feb. 21) with a 59-49 win over Collingwood in a tight defensive battle.
"We came out strong and built an early lead in the first, but we got away from our offence in the second and third and had troubles scoring," said Elphi head coach Mike Sopow. "The guys played well defensively and we were able to handle the drought till we came alive again in the fourth."
TJ Turenne led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Nate Haglund scored 14 and pulled down 18 boards.
The Cougars then played Bodwell on Monday night, who came into the game riding a pair of wins over Howe Sound and St. Thomas Aquinas (STA). But Bodwell was no match for the Cougars, who prevailed 68-46.
"We did an excellent job on the boards, limiting their second chance opportunities," Sopow said.
"Offensively we moved the ball around well and got good open looks and really made them work defensively, which was the big difference in this game because they looked tired in the second half."
Nate led the way with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Nolan Lewarne had a hot shooting hand, scoring 17.
Elphi was set to play the winner of STA and Bodwell in the North Shore title game Wednesday night. If Elphi dropped that game, they would play again on Thursday.
Check out Coast Reporter next week for all the details.
Elphi is assured of a berth into the provincial championships as the North Shore is receiving two provincial berths this year.
Pender girls qualify for provincials
The Pender Harbour senior girls have qualified for the single A provincials after winning their first two games at this week's Lower Mainland championships in Vancouver.
Pender beat Pemberton 51-45 in the quarter finals Tuesday night, then beat Richmond Christian 59-42 in the semifinals Wednesday night.
Dani Pazur scored 30 points while Nadine Reid-Jay added 14.
Pender plays for the Lower Mainland championship cup this Friday against Mulgrave.
In action last week, Pender travelled to Chatelech last Thursday, Feb. 13, for a pair of games.
The senior girls won 41-33. Dani scored 16 points, while Nadine scored 13.
The Pender boys won 60-43 led by Jordan Kammerle's 23 points. Cam Biddle scored 19 and Jordan Haines added 15.
