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TOTEM 69: Senior boys' ADSS Storm lose heartbreaker to Stelly's in OT

ADSS will play Carihi High in final game of tournament

The ADSS senior boys Storm will face Carihi High from Campbell River to decide third and fourth place at Totem 69, the Storm's home tournament, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at 7 p.m.

The Storm won their first game of the tourney on Thursday, Jan. 9, beating Ballenas 59-50. They had a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter and were able to keep the pressure against Ballenas—especially the younger players on the squad.

The Storm headed into their second game on Friday night against Stelly's on a positive note. Stelly's was ahead 32-20 at halftime, but the Storm scored 31 points in the third quarter to take a 51-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

Storm head coach Steve Sperger said turnovers in the fourth quarter plagued the Storm. "A couple of our guys haven't experienced this environment, this noise, this excitement that's going on, and I think there are some nerves. We had a couple of turnovers late in the game that really cost us, a couple of missed rebounds that are like turnovers if you don't get them, and I think that was the big difference for us."

Stelly's chipped away at the Storm's lead and tied the game 65-65 with a late three-pointer courtesy of Liam Tudway-Cains.

Another three-pointer just 23 seconds into overtime put Stelly's ahead. The Storm tied it up a minute later but they weren't able to keep the momentum.

In overtime, "Stelly's No. 8 caught fire," Sperger said. "He made shots that were just amazing. We defended him well, we were there with him but he just made the shots and he made the difference for his team."

With 1:49 left in the five-minute overtime, Stelly's pulled ahead 80-75 and held ADSS scoreless until the final buzzer.

Sperger called the game "a growth opportunity" for his squad. "How often do you get to play in this environment," he said. 

"How often do you get to play in a game that goes into overtime in front of your hometown crowd? They played in an environment that was a pressure cooker...hopefully they're going to learn from that and hopefully play a little calmer in the future."

Edward Milne edged Stelly's 63-62 to win the Totem senior boys' trophy.

Reynolds placed fifth and Ballenas sixth in the tournament.



Susie Quinn

About the Author: Susie Quinn

A journalist since 1987, I have been the Alberni Valley News editor since August 2006.
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