The senior boys' high school basketball season wrapped up in fine fashion last weekend at Elphinstone Secondary School.
The Elphi Cougars hosted a six-team round robin tournament to finish off the year. The tournament started last Thursday, Feb. 26, and wrapped up Saturday, Feb. 28.
After the round robin, Seycove, from North Vancouver, Elphi and the Chatelech Eagles all had 4-1 records.
Elphi coach and tournament coordinator Bill Sluis decided to use points against to break the tie.
Seycove finished first at the tournament with 265 points against, Chat was second with 280 with Elphi in third with 285 points. Pemberton finished fourth at the event, followed by Rockridge from North Vancouver in fifth and Whistler Secondary in sixth place.
Seycove beat Elphi on Friday night in a classic, 86-85, which meant Elphi had to beat Chat in the tournament's final game on Saturday in order to create the three-way tie for top spot.
Elphi went 1-2 against Chat during the regular season, but the Cougars saved their best for last, picking up a 74-69 win over their archrivals from Chat.
"Our guys really played hard this weekend and capped off the year with a great showing," Sluis said. "It was nice to beat Chat. They've played us real tough all year long. Overall, it was a great tournament and a great way to end the year."
Sluis said he was particularly happy with the response from the students at Elphi.
"The students and fans here at Elphi were just fabulous," Sluis said. "On Friday, the gym was packed with kids. They showed a lot of school spirit. It was good to see and that's what high school sports is all about."
Sluis also wanted to give credit to the students who volunteered their time to score keep and helped referee several games.
"I felt this was a great way to end the year and by playing this round robin tournament rather than a traditional knock-out event, it allowed for more games and better competition," he said. "It was just a fun atmosphere all week. We had a dinner on Friday night and all the players just hung out and got to know each other.
"There was still tons of competitiveness on the court, but I think the tournament really brought out a lot of spirit and ethics in sport that we all want to see."
