In basketball, everyone loves a buzzer-beater.
But when that last-second shot caps off an incredible comeback to win a playoff championship, it’s possible to love them even more.
That was the story for the HHS senior boys basketball team, who found themselves down by 23 points to rival BMLSS in the third quarter of the MPS playoff finals. But despite facing long odds, the boys didn’t give up. They rallied together, and fought hard to claw their way back into the game, basket by basket. With 31 seconds left, they hit a three-pointer to tie the score for the first time since the opening tip-off. And then, after playing tight defense to regain possession, they drained the go-ahead shot as time expired to earn the title of MPS champions.
After showing themselves that they can play under pressure and battle through adversity, it’s time for the boys to do it again. This time, it will be on the largest stage they have played on this season, the GBSSA finals on Friday.
“The biggest asset this group has is their ability to play as a team,” says coach Kelly Picken. “They believe in each other and respect each other’s ability.”
Front row: Scott MacDonald, Tyler Pearse, Aaron Sutherland, Dwight Pacardo, Tommy
Giblin. Middle: Takiah Ebbs-Picken. Back row: Kelly Picken (coach), Mason Smith, Andrew Dunowski, Sam Koop, Lucas MacDonald, Cooper McNeil, Greg Sutherland (coach)
The boys finished their regular season with a dominant 7-1 record, while also playing well in five tournaments where they went 13-7 overall.
“Most notably, we made it to the finals in the Tomahawk Tournament in North Bay before losing a hard fought game against LaSalle from Sudbury,” says Picken. “Our team captains, Takiah Ebbs-Picken and Sam Koop have been strong leaders throughout the season, leading by example and consistently being our top scorers.”
Several other returning players, Mason Smith, Andrew Dunowski, and Lucas MacDonald, have become integral members of the Hoyas machine, contributing both on the scoreboard as well as on defense. Grade 11 standouts Tommy Giblin and Aaron Sutherland, meanwhile, have adjusted well to the senior game and will be important leaders forming the core of next year’s team, along with Dwight Pacardo, Ryan MacDonald, Scott MacDonald, and Tyler Pearse, who were positive influences both on and off the bench and pushed the starters to do their best.
Ryo Yamaski, an exchange student from Japan, made solid contributions during the first half of the season while Cooper McNeil took his place in the second semester and added a spark to the squad as they moved into playoffs.
“Offensively, the boys move the ball well in order to gain the best scoring opportunity. In the back court, their zone defense has proven to be formidable,” says Picken. “And to top it off, this team has often been complimented for their sportsmanship and the respect that they show their opponents and the officials. Here’s hoping that it will all pay off for a win on Friday.”
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