Trojans bounce Vikings in first round
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
The Vincent Massey Vikings had no chance. Not before the opening tip, not after scoring just three points in the first quarter.
But give them credit, they fought Winnipeg’s Vincent Massey Trojans to the bitter end of a 75-40 loss in the first round of AAAA varsity boys’ basketball provincials at Massey on Thursday.
“I think we put up a good fight,” said Vikings senior forward Brannigan Ferland. “It was fun just to play here at home. It took us a while to ease in but we knew what we were going up against before.”
Vincent Massey Vikings Aaron Pasaporte shoots a floater against the Vincent Massey Trojans during the first round of AAAA varsity boys’ basketball provincials on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
It was the Vikings’ first time hosting provincials in decades and they were rightly awarded the lowest seed. The Trojans were taller, faster and flat-out more talented. That was evident from warmups when the majority of the team dunked.
The air show didn’t exactly translate to the game as they missed four breakaway dunks in the first half but still went up 20-plus points in a hurry.
Aaron Pasaporte’s early three-pointer was the Vikings’ only bucket in the opening 10 minutes. They scored a quick seven points late in the second quarter to trail 39-15 at halftime.
The hosts actually narrowed the gap by a point to 53-30 after three before the Trojans put them away.
The Vikings still gave their packed crowd plenty of moments to roar, like Ferland’s three second-half treys to post a team-high 11 points.
“I thought I’d just have some fun with it,” Ferland said. “It was the final game and I doubt I’d play anything higher than this so I just wanted to go out on a high note.
“… It’s nice to hear all the fans cheering. I love it.”
The Trojans advance to the quarterfinals against the Garden City Fighting Gophers on Saturday at 3 p.m.
It’s the end of the road for a senior-heavy Vikings team. Christian Santin, who chipped in five points for Massey, will lead the 2024 squad in his third year on varsity.
Vincent Massey Vikings Justin Sharp is swarmed by three Vincent Massey Trojans during the first round of AAAA varsity boys’ basketball provincials on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
“It’s a learning experience of course,” Santin said. “It shows where we have to be and what our team has to be next year. I hope we can all put in the work.”
In the first game of the day, Daniel McIntyre earned a 103-98 win over Maples. The Maroons take on the No. 1 seed Sturgeon Heights Huskies on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Dakota beat Miles Macdonell 84-54 and will play No. 3 Garden City on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The evening game between John Taylor and Sisler for a 7 o’clock quarterfinal against No. 2 St. Paul’s was still in progress at press time.
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @thomasmfriesen