The hometown Timmins High and Vocational School Blues the 10th seeded team in the OFSSA Double AA Senior Boys Basketball Championships won a dramatic come from behind victory against 9th seeded Father McGivney Saints from Markham, Ontario 38-31 in front packed gym of boisterous fans.
“The game was a series of scoring runs by each team,” said THVS Blues Coach Peter Graham. “We got our run at the right time at the end of the game and that was the difference.”
Timmins High advances to round 2 of the OFSSA Championships tipping off against Assumption at O’Gorman High School at 1 p.m.
Assumption the 8th ranked team defeated 14th ranked Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute 68-49.
For all results and round 2 matchups click here:
http://www.ofsaa.on.ca/boys-aa-basketball/schedules-results/day-1-results-monday-march-5
The Blues got off to a fast 6-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game, but McGivney tied the game with 2:34 left in the first quarter. The Blues got two more to end the first quarter with a slim 8-6 lead.
“Our fast opening in the first quarter was a major factor in the game,” Graham said. “We withstood the physical play by McGivney and were able to adjust our game.”
The second quarter belonged to McGivney as they tallied 13 points to 9 for THVS to lead 19-17 at the half.
In the 3rd quarter THVS started strong but trailed McGivney 26-21 at the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter was all Timmins High outscoring the visiting Saints 17-5.
With 5:38 left in the 4th quarter McGivney held a 28-26 lead. Moments later however, Timmins High’s Matti Kohtala made two shots at the foul line to tie the game at 28 with 4:55 left in the game.
“Keeping the score close entering the fourth quarter is something I have stressed all season and the team responded well,” added Graham. “Coming back from a two-point deficit to win by scoring 8 points in the final 3 minutes to win.”
McGivney went on top once again with a nicely executed lay up by Tristan Chin to make it 30-28.
Seconds later a foul against McGivney sent Joe Thorne to line for THVS with 3:50 left in the game. Thorne made one shot and the score was 30-29 for McGivney
Defensively Thorne also contributed by getting a timely rebound off a missed McGivney shot and by outhustling the opponent players to pick up a loose ball in the dying minutes of the game.
Matti Kohtala put THVS out in front to stay with less than 3:00 minutes left with a three pointer from the left side of the key. The score was now 32-30 for the Blues.
However, McGivney got fouled a few seconds later and made one of two shots to make it 32-31 for THVS with 2:28 left
Brandon Dwyer was fouled for two shots for McGivney. If he made both shots he could have given the team from Markham, Ontario the lead with 2 minutes left in the game.
As Dwyer stepped to the line the loud Timmins High fans cheered loudly and made deafening noises that seemed to distract Dwyer. He missed both shots and THVS retained the lead.
On their next possession Timmins High moved up court quickly and number 20 Matti Kohtala sank a two pointer to extend the Blues lead over the Saints to 34-31 with1:20 left. Kohtala’s effort was a well executed under over shot from underneath the basket.
In the last minute Timmins High Kevin Leblond was fouled and was two for two at the foul line making the score 36-31 for THVS with seconds left in the game.
McGivney had possession of the ball with 23 seconds left on the clock. They moved the ball up court, shot, but missed. A big rebound by Matti Kohtala and a well thrown pass to number 10 Adam Tambeau who made a well executed jump shot from about 20 feet out for two more points that made the final score 38-31 for Timmins High Blues over the Father McGivney Saints.
To the delight of the Timmins High fans who packed the gym.
Tied for being the leading scorers in the game were Tristan Chin of McGivney and Adam Tambeau of Timmins High with 16 points. Matti Kohtala had 8 points for THVS and Brandon Dwyer tallied 5 for McGivney.
For the Blues they received clutch 3 point shots in the game by Adam Tambeau and Matti Kohtala.
On the boards forward Chris Lachapelle (No.55) and Joe Thorne pulled down some key defensive rebounds to defuse several McGivney offense thrusts.
