The Delta Pacers got a taste of senior boys basketball on the other side of the Fraser River at Steveston-London Secondary’s 12th annual Bob Carkner Memorial Clasic.
The Pacers salvaged a seventh-place finish with a 101-83 win over Windermere on Saturday morning. Dylan Flaming led a balanced attack with 15 points. Tyler Bryce had 14, Ryan McCarthy 13 and Kai Bohmert 12.
Delta opened the eight-team tournament in front of a hostile noon hour crowd in a 107-63 loss to the host Sharks. Steveston-London went on to take top honours with a 77-60 win over Richmond rival Hugh Boyd.
The Pacers also lost a tight 68-61 battle to Kamloops’ Valleyview on Friday.
Delta head coach Donovan Britten said he looked beyond the final tournament standings when it came to his team’s progress.
“Win or lose this is a good experience for our majority Grade 11 squad,” said Britten. “I just want them to compete and be aware of the different situations during the short season we have.
“I was happy to get guys (on the floor) who normally sit more than anyone into today’s game."
Britten also praised the effort of Grade 11 guard Matt Burt who is enjoying a solid season.
The Pacers’ Sur-Del League schedule includes a visit from the North Delta Huskies on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.
On the girls’ side at the Carkner Classic, the South Delta Sun Devils finished in fourth place after falling to the North Delta Huskies on Saturday.
The Devils opened the tournament with a 67-28 win over Cambie then dropped a semi-final decision to eventual champion Steveston-London.
At the buzzer…
The Pacers senior girls finished third at the Britannia Bruins Invitational in Vancouver. Senior forward Abbey Wigglesworth earned Second Team All-Star honours.
