A come-from-behind win

Montague Vikings defeat Charlottetown Rural Raiders 66-56 in gold-medal game

A come-from-behind victory highlighted the Domino’s Pizza P.E.I. School Athletic Association (PEISAA) senior AA mens basketball championships at Holland College in Charlottetown on March 12.

The Montague Vikings completed the comeback as they defeated the Charlottetown Rural Raiders 66-56.

Micah Pollard, a graduating player, was thrilled to win the banner in his final year of high school.

“Winning the banner is special, but to cap off my last high school season with the win is a dream come true,” said Pollard. “We worked hard this season, and it’s nice to see it all pay off.”

The Raiders dominated the opening quarter as they opened up an eight-point lead into the second quarter. Both teams battled back and forth, with the Raiders leading 29-21 at half.

The comeback started in the third quarter as Grade 11 student Ethan Lowe scored six points and helped the Vikings erase the deficit and lead 33-31. However, Grade 11 student Hugo Nguyen scored seven points of his own to start the quarter, as the Raiders retook the lead.

Montague then hit six three-pointers to lead 61-54 with 2:43 to play. The Vikings didn’t look back from there as they extended their lead and won the game 66-56.

Owen Bernard, head coach of the Vikings, was excited with the win as he used to play with the team.

“I’m not too far removed from the program. I only finished playing a couple years ago,” said Bernard. “Winning a banner was something I wasn’t able to do as a player but I’m glad I got to do it now.”

BRONZE MEDAL

The Colonel Gray Colonels scored a narrow win against the Three Oaks Axemen to take home provincial bronze. The Colonels dominated the opening quarter, building a 23-8 lead. The Axemen were able to cut into the deficit as Colonel Gray led by 10 at halftime.

Despite a back-and-forth battle in the third quarter, the Colonels headed into the fourth leading 54-41. Midway through the fourth quarter the Axemen had cut Colonel Gray’s lead to six. However, two quick steals and a hail mary three-pointer from Grade 12 student Bradon Smith helped the Axemen complete the comeback and win 67-65.

DEREK GILCHRIST • THE GUARDIAN The Montague Vikings won the P.E.I. School Athletic Association senior AA men’s basketball championship in Charlottetown March 12. Back row, from left, are Parker Murphy (assistant coach), Dyllin Bernard (assistant coach), Cohen Roberts, Ryan Macdougall, Crispin Edward, Micah Pollard, Sam Shaw, Wason Bulpitt, Keegan Mccarthy, Alex Jackson, Sam Shaw (assistant coach), Owen Bernard (head coach). Front row, from left, are Mac Johnston, Ryder Colborne, Xander Creed, Denver Nelson, Ethan Lowe, Nate Gamble.