McNair Marlins are out to prove it’s not how you start the season but rather how you finish.
Back in early December, the Marlins were simply outclassed in a 19-point loss to McMath in their the Richmond Senior Boys Basketball League opener. Since then, a squad that features just one Grade 12, has made steady progress. Their improvement was reflected last week in a big win 75-63 win over RC Palmer and a second place finish at their own Marlin Classic.
Suddenly, McNair (4-2) is in a good position to take a run at least a third place finish in the Richmond league and a favourable seed for next month’s city championships.
“After our first two games at the Gladstone tournament, I thought we were in for a long season,” laughed co-coach Jessy Dhillon who is sharing the duties with Ranj Sangara.
“Honestly though, we have turned it around pretty quickly. We were an inexperienced team but guys are now stepping up and getting more comfortable at the senior level.”
A year ago, the Marlins went to provincials with mainly a senior squad and a short rotation. This season, they are much deeper including four Grade 10s who are logging plenty of minutes.
The lone senior on the roster — Ryan Angala — has grasped the leadership role and developed chemistry with impressive junior age guard Nathan Schroeder who is back in the line-up after missing a month with a wrist injury.
“Ryan has really stepped up and he and Nathan are really gelling together,” added Dhillon. “Having Nathan back and healthy is big. He is probably a 15 to 18 point difference when he is not playing for us.
“Last year, we had the big three that we really relied on where this year all five guys on the floor can move which is always helpful when you’re pressing. We always have guys on the bench who want to play and can contribute.”
Angala poured in 37 points in McNair’s 92-62 tournament opening win over Tupper. The Marlins then exploded in the second half to beat McRoberts 89-71 in the semi-finals.
The teams were tied at 36-36 at the break when the hosts cranked up their full court pressure to produce a number of turnovers — going on a 12-0 run to start the third quarter.
McNair played the final without Angala and Schroeder who had previous commitments. That helped King George roll to a 79-51 victory.
The Marlins will see nearby rival McRoberts again on Thursday, this time in league play.
At the buzzer….
The red hot Steveston London Sharks were cooled off at the Robert Bateman Tournament on the weekend, falling 85-69 to the unranked hosts in the quarter-finals.
The province’s No. 2 ranked team rebounded with a 68-64 win over Windermere in consolation play. The Sharks had opened the tournament with a 78-61 victory against Salmon Arm.
No. 8 McMath also made its way to Abbotsford, falling 83-66 to Byrne Creek in the quarter-finals.
The Wildcats opened with a 71-70 overtime win against Brookswood and closed out play by edging Bodwell 49-46 in consolation action.
McMath hosts its own Wildcat Classic this weekend. The eight team draw includes Bateman. The tourney final goes Saturday at 4:30.
