An Okotoks high school boys basketball squad was two minutes away from winning its home tournament before its opponents from Medicine Hat put on a clinic in late game execution.
The Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) Knights had a four-point lead with just over two minutes remaining on the clock before the McCoy Colts stormed back with 10 unanswered points to steal the Knights Senior Boys Basketball Classic title from the hosts with a 70-64 victory, Jan. 14 at the HTA gym.
Ryan Hassler hit a clutch three point shot with 2:42 left to go to give the Knights a 64-60 lead, but that’s when the Colts showed themselves as late game thoroughbreds.
“We had a four-point lead there and all we really needed to do was run the clock down,” said Hassler. “I think we panicked a bit and got a little too excited.”
With a two-point advantage, HTA missed an opportunity to double its lead on a lay up and the Colts took advantage almost immediately when guard Calen Anton did his best Reggie Miller impression by icing a three from the left corner to give McCoy a two-point lead the team would not relinquish.
Knights coach Sam Aiello said both teams put on a quality display worthy of a tournament final, save for a few lapses in judgment in the closing stages.
“It was an exciting game for the fans and I thought both sides played pretty good defence and in the end a couple mistakes in the last two minutes cost us and that was the difference in the game,” he said.
HTA’s James LaGrange led the way with 32 points in the final, while Grade 11 guard Kyler Helinsky had his outside jumper working and chipped in with 18 points.
The Knights advanced to the final on the strength of an 81-63 defeat of the sharp shooting Olds Spartans after having edged the Highwood Mustangs 76-65 in their tournament opener on Jan. 13.
LaGrange said the Knights gradually improved throughout two days of competition.
“Our first two games we weren’t playing up to our potential, we were slow and sluggish with complacency,” said LaGrange, who ascribed the Knights’ struggles in the first half of the semifinal and final to court rust stemming from the layoff during the holiday season.
“It’s just from the break, we just didn’t come back as strong as we were, but near the end of the games like in the (final) close to the end of the second quarter we came back and started playing like before the break,” he said.
Aiello said he was pleased with his team’s showing at their home tournament.
“Overall I’m happy we got to the finals and we had a good game in the finals,” Aiello said. “McCoy is ranked number nine in the province so I think we’re right there, we’re right in that mix.”
The Knights are ranked just outside the top 10 among 3A schools, with a honourable mention spot to their credit.
Grade 12 forward Riley Moss, named the Knights’ tournament all-star in recognition of his grunt work underneath the basket, said the tournament is a valuable harbinger for the type of opposition his club will see come playoff season.
“We get to see some of our zone teams and get better competition,” he said.
Hassler agreed, adding the Knights Classic format gives the team the type of preparation they need to have success in Foothills Athletic Council play.
“It really focuses us because we come out of a league where there are a couple games that really are challenging and we come in to these tournaments and get these good, tough games experience,” Hassler said of the quality of opposition they faced on their home court.
Going forward the team needs to sharpen its commitment on the offensive glass as well as its execution on free throws if they want to be triumphant, said LaGrange.
Next up for the Knights will be a trip to Olds for the Spartans Classic, Jan 27. Their next league game is scheduled for Jan. 30 on the road against Strathmore High School. For more information log on to www.foothillsathletics.ca.
