Four games in six nights were just too much for the Elphinstone Cougars to overcome.
The senior boys playoff run came to a close on Feb. 20, following a 75-54 loss to Collingwood.
Elphi started the playoffs with a 81-73 win over St. Thomas Aquinas Feb. 15. They followed that up with a 64-62 loss to Collingwood Feb. 18, which put them on the brink of elimination in the double knock-out North Shore playoff bracket. The Cougars staved off elimination, easily beating Seycove 65-51 Feb. 19, but simply ran out of gas in their final game with Collingwood.
Windsor won the North Shore title, smoking Collingwood 71-43 Feb. 21.
Despite not making the final against Windsor, Cougars' coach Mike Sopow said he's pleased with the season and the progress the senior boys program has made the past three years.
"It was a gruelling schedule for sure. Going into Vancouver every night to play, then coming home on the 10:30 p.m. ferry, doing homework, going to school, then leaving early to do it all over again really takes its toll," said Sopow. "The boys were just tied in that last game against Collingwood. We had such a good first game with them. It was a close game, went back and forth, and they scored with two seconds left to take the lead. We had the final shot, but it just rimmed out. We win that game and who knows."
Senior Andrew Baron was named to the all-star playoff team and Andrew, along with senior Mitch Rainer, were two players Sopow credited for his team's success this season.
"We had great leadership from both Mitch and Andrew on and off the court," said Sopow. "I think everyone was dedicated to working hard. No one slacked off in practice and team chemistry was also an asset. I'd say those three things - leadership, working hard and team chemistry - were the reasons we were successful this year."
The Cougars finished 6-3 in league play, won several tournaments during the season and finished third at their own tournament in January. And it was the third place finish that proved to be a key stepping stone for the team.
"We were disappointed that we didn't win our tournament," said Sopow. "Pemberton was a good team, but we felt we should have at least been in the final. You learn from your losses, and the team was motivated after that. It was maybe not the key turning point in the season, but it certainly was a stepping stone."
The future of the program looks bright as the main foundation of the team next year will be built around the Grade 11 players who will be in Grade 12 and the Grade 10 players who will play key roles as Grade 11 players.
"The basketball program is flourishing here because we're seeing a lot of good players building their skills at the junior level. When they make the jump to Grade 11 and 12, they can play key roles on the team," Sopow said.
