Senior Boys Basketball
Fourth quarter collapse proves to be Garneau's undoing in 'AA' hoops final
By Fred Sherwin
Orleans Online

The Garneau Gaulois were left to think about what could have been on Monday as they watched a 12 point half-time lead evaporate against a tenacious Franco Quest Viking squad in the 'AA' senior boys basketball championship.

The Gaulois jumped all over the Vikings from the opening tip-off building up a 12-6 first quarter lead. Their aggressive play resulted in four trips to the free throw line and they made the most of the opportunity sinking four of six ffree throw shots.

Garneau continued to pour it on in the second quarter with a trio of three point shots, extending their lead to 26-14 by the break.

As the two teams took the floor to start the third quarter the Vikings turned up their defensive play two or three notches switching to a full court press to try and throw the Gaulois off their game.

The change in defensive strategy had an immediate impact as Garneau started turning the ball over and shots that swished through the hoop in the first half started clanging off the rim.

At the other end of the court, the Vikings went 5-for-6 from the free throw line and drained four baskets to narrow Garneau's lead to 32-27 by the start of the final stanza.

Things went from bad to worse for the Gaulois who couldn't by a shot in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile the Vikings sank four of their first five shots including a three-pointed by Olivier Izere to take a 36-34 lead. From there the game turned into a free throw shooting contest as the Gaulois kept sending the Vikings to the line.

Franco Quest responded to the challenge by sinking 11 of 18 free throw attempts to pull away from Gaulois and lay claim to the senior boys 'AA' hoops crown.

Nicolas Vandenbosch was the game high scorer for the Gaulois with 10 points while Julien Legris added nine.

After the game Gaulois head coach Hans Schyburt refused to make any excuses for his team's second half collapse, choosing instead to praise the effort of their opponents.