The Intermediate division final was an exciting one for local fans, with Port Simpson and Prince Rupert facing off.
Although it was a competitive game, the Port Simpson Strike Force pulled away in the fourth quarter to win the game 74-61, and claim their second straight championship in the process.
“We came out a little bit flat but we started to pick it up. We started to take a lead and we just kept rolling,” said Skyler Wesley, who scored 11 points for Simpson, which had a raucous crowd on hand to cheer them on.
The two teams had played previously in the week, with a spot in the finals on the line. In that game, Simpson overpowered Rupert much more easily, but this game was different.
“They came at us harder than they did yesterday and we knew that was going to come,” an excited Wesley said.
“We just had to come with the best of our ability, we came out on top, that’s all we can ask for.”
Port Simpson led most of the game, although the lead was slim. Early on, Rupert struggled by giving up turnovers, leading to breakouts for Simpson, which converted on most of them, especially when last year’s MVP, Jakob Henry had the ball. He would finish the game with 27 points, 19 of which came in the fourth quarter, a true game-changer.
The Synergy Storm picked it up as the game went on and starting converting on their shots and also blocking better, not giving Simpson as much room to shoot the ball. Perry Terrell was on fire, scoring a couple of big threes in the third quarter, and finishing with 15 points. He was named an All-Star after the game.
Rupert took its first lead of the game with a minute to go in the third, 47-44, but it all slipped away in the fourth. Maybe it was the experience of a Simpson team that had played in the finals last year, but the Storm lost control of the game and Simpson outscored them 27-14 in the final quarter to take the win in front of an ecstatic crowd.
Nick Campbell led the Storm with 20 points, and was rewarded with the most inspirational player award as well as Mr. Hustle award. For Port Simpson, Henry’s 27 points and John Sampson’s 14 paced the win.
Simpson’s John Tait was named MVP of the tournament as well as best defensive player.