In a must-win game between two teams at the bottom of the standings, the St. Albert Skyhawks rose to the challenge while the Paul Kane Blues struggled to play to the opponent’s level.
The Skyhawks are 2-6 and the Blues are 1-6 in the metro Edmonton division two senior men’s league after Monday’s victory by the home team at the SkyDome.
“It’s big. It’s definitely a turning point in our season because it’s a rivalry game. You always want to win those ones so to come out on top feels real good,” said Tylar Dobish, a Grade 12 Skyhawk, after pouring in 25 points as the team’s floor general.
The gung-ho performance “was one of our better games of the year,” said Dobish of the intensity-driven Skyhawks backed by a vocal cheering section. “We had a good team win. Our energy from the bench was really good and that translated to everyone who came out on the floor.
“When the crowd is into it and the bench is into it the energy just keeps going with everyone.”
The Blues forgot to ignite the pilot light before tip-off and with no fire in their bellies the lack of emotion was the team’s biggest downfall.
“We didn’t come out mentally prepared,” was the post-game message repeated several times by Jack MacPherson, a lanky Grade 11 forward.
An exorbitant number of missed shots and turnovers also plagued the Blues.
“We just didn’t play very well,” MacPherson said.
Down by four at halftime, the Blues were outscored 22-8 in the third quarter and trailed 53-35 to start the last 10 minute-period.
The Skyhawks tacked up 15 consecutive points to start the second half before Owen Cooke converted a pass from Aidan Kelly with 3:11 left until quarter time.
“We didn’t match their intensity and hustle,” MacPherson said.
The Skyhawks set the tone in the first quarter with nine consecutive points to lead 12-5 and the next quarter was a free-wheeling affair as the Blues pulled ahead twice on Riley King’s three-pointer and a basket by Ryan Holmes that was gift-wrapped by a King pass.
MacPherson tied it at 19 with a slick shot and the Skyhawks responded with 12 points compared to eight for the Blues to end the first half ahead 31-27.
Leading up to the break, following a rejection by MacPherson that caused a stir among the Paul Kane student body in attendance, Justin Akkerman wired a three to make it 26-19 then turned towards the PK fans in the stands and directed a lengthy stink eye while running back into defensive formation.
A pair of lightning-quick threes by Kelly left the Blues down by one with 1:27 to go in the half.
Kelly scored eight of his team-high 17 points in the second quarter while finishing with four threes overall.
“When we play the way we can, we can compete with teams,” said MacPherson, who registered eight of his 11 points in the first half.
Dobish was the main marksman for the Skyhawks in the decisive third quarter with 10 points and his three-pointer put the screws to the Blues at 40-27.
Josh Dryland and the flashy DeAmonte Overman were also key contributors offensively with 11 and nine points, respectively, but the game star according to Dobish was the team’s defence.
“We really took pride in our defence tonight. Holding them to 44 points is really good for us,” Dobish said. “The last few weeks we’ve been working on our defence because the offence will come no matter what so our defence is the main priority.”
Dobish, 17, is optimistic the Skyhawks will continue trending in the right direction after the second win in four games.
The new year started off with the 88-68 decision against the Queen Elizabeth Knights (2-4).
“We’re starting to come together as a group now. We’re turning the page from before Christmas. I think we’re playing a lot better,” said the six-foot-five guard.
Four of the team’s six losses were by seven points or less.
“We’ve had a few close games that we could’ve won but we can’t do anything about it. It’s in the past and we’ve just got to move forward,” Dobish said.
The Skyhawks are still within striking distance of the playoffs with three games remaining before the Feb. 26 quarter-finals.
The next game is Monday against the Strathcona Christian Academy Eagles (2-5) at 6:30 p.m. at the SkyDome.
The Skyhawks are also shooting for a winning record at the 3A Edmonton zone tournament for provincial qualification.
“We a have a lot of seniors (seven) on this team and this is our last run so we’re going all out. We’re putting everything on the table to make it as far as we can,” said Dobish, one of seven players back from the 7-3 team in league play and at the 3A provincials the Skyhawks won the last two games to place ninth at 2-1 as the third Edmonton zone rep ranked ninth in the 12-team draw. It was also the first provincials for the men’s team since 2012.
Meanwhile, the Blues host the Beaumont Bandits (2-4) tonight at 5:30 p.m. and Monday’s tilt against the host Bellerose Bulldogs (5-2) tips off at 6:30 p.m. The Blues have lost the last two league games against the Bulldogs at Bellerose by scores of 83-77 in division one in 2016 and 76-61 in division two last year.
“That’s a big game but first we have this game (against Beaumont) but yeah it’s a big game against those guys,” said MacPherson of the upcoming Battle of St. Albert against the same Bellerose team that defeated the Skyhawks 70-64 in December.
The Blues have four games left to salvage a disappointing season.
“It’s been tough at times for sure,” MacPherson said. “But we’re not going to quit.”
The Blues dropped five in a row in league play, including losses by one, seven and nine points, before last week’s 67-66 squeaker against the Oscar Romero Ravens (4-4) at Paul Kane.
“That was a big win. We really need that win,” said MacPherson of beating the No. 7 ranked 3A team in the province.
The 10-man roster includes four Grade 12s and four returnees from the 2017 quarter-finalists at 7-3.
“We’re young but we’re in this together and we’re trying,” said MacPherson, 16, noting the fourth quarter has been the team’s Achilles heel at times. “We just have to stay focused.”
