Responding in a big way
Axemen eliminate early deficit to cruise to victory over Raiders
There was no panic.
The favoured Three Oaks (TOSH) Axemen were trailing the Charlottetown Rural Raiders 19-14 after the first quarter in the Domino’s Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association senior AAA boys’ basketball championship Thursday at Holland College in Charlottetown.
“We kind of knew, as long as we started hooping, we’ll be fine,” said TOSH forward Ben MacDougall.
The 18-year-old Summerside native, who was named tournament MVP, hit a bucket in the paint and completed the threepoint play at the free-throw line to give the Axemen a 24-21 lead three minutes into the second quarter.
Three Oaks never trailed again.
“It all starts on defence,” MacDougall said. “We got some stops, they started missing some shots and we got out and ran and then it came so much easier.”
Before the final buzzer sounded for the half, the Axemen had built a comfortable 45-31 lead. They slammed the door shut on any potential comeback by scoring the first eight points of the third quarter and answering any Raiders’ runs.
“Once we got going, and the game started flowing, it was everyone getting involved,” said TOSH head coach Faro Halupa. “It wasn’t just one guy who dominated the game by any means.”
But MacDougall was key.
He drew the tough assignment of guarding Rural’s big man Isaac Hughes and was key with the ball in his hands starting the break, kicking to open teammates and knocking down shots. “Physically, he’s so gifted,” Halupa said. “Big and strong, but fast, so who do you guard him with?”
Rural head coach Kyle Gillis said they implemented some different systems to try to win the game.
“I think the first quarter was a real reflection of just what we wanted to do and I think it’s also a testament how well (TOSH) adjusted,” he said.
The victory allowed the Axemen’s six Grade 12s (Charlie Turner, Sahib Singh, Vlersim Musliu, Justin Caron, Jack Somers and MacDougall) to end their career with a win and have a provincial banner and blue bar to hang in the gym forever.
“They’re the culture of their team,” Halupa said. “Hopefully, the guys who are back next year learned a lot from them this year.” Gillis was proud of his squad. “We’re winners,” he said, noting the players got better each time they stepped on the court this season. “I think development has to be just as important as results.”
MacDougall finished the game with 19 points to lead Three Oaks’ balanced attack. Caron had 18 while Turner and Musliu each recorded 16 and Singh contributed 14.
Jose Chrisostomo had 19 points to pace the Raiders while Kalen MacDonald-Wood had 16 and Nolan Ryan and Hughes each chipped in 10.