The men's basketball team found themselves in a fantastic position going into the PACWEST Provincial Championship. Having won five out of six games in February, the team found themselves peaking just at the right time. They entered the tournament as the fourth seed and faced off against the hosts, the Quest Kermodes.
It was a tight affair to start the Royals tournament. Spurred on by a packed gym of supporters, the Kermodes gave the Royals a run for their money, but could never overcome them. Five times they tied the game, but the Royals lead throughout the match. At the end of the game, it was the Royals that were still leading, 86-80, and they would move on. The win was on the back of some impressive performances. Grant Campbell had 24 points on the night and Malcolm Mensah had 16. Reese Morris had a stellar night, picking up 26 points and 16 rebounds for the double double, and the Player of the Game award.
Next up was the dreaded VIU Mariners. The Mariners were titans coming into the tournament, and for good reason. Nonetheless, the Royals gave it their all to push past them. The first quarter looked good for the Royals. During a push in the second, the Royals even managed to take the lead. But several fouls put the Royals in trouble, and they couldn't find a way to bounce back. They would fall to the Mariners, 86-71. Despite the loss, Reese Morris finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, en route to his second double double of the tournament.
The loss knocked them out of gold medal contention, but the Royals still had a chance to win bronze. Their opponent? The number two seeded Langara Falcons, truly a giant looming in the depths. The Royals would need their best game to beat the Falcons, and even still, it would be a challenge.
And a challenge it was. The game featured 9 different lead changes and six ties, as the Royals and the Falcons clashed. Ultimately, the Royals came out on top to win the Bronze medal, 83-71. Grant Campbell had a stellar game, scoring 18 points, and picking up 7 rebounds and 7 steals. In their final game for the Royals, Sheldon Derton had 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Malcolm Mensah picked up a double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Once again, Reese Morris tore up the scoresheet, grabbing 22 points and 16 rebounds, and was named Player of the Game for the second time in the tournament. Grant Campbell and Reese Morris were named Tournament All-Stars.
All in all, it was a fitting run for the Royals. Winning a PACWEST bronze under a new head coach? The future is definitely looking bright for the Royals.
