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Owls steamroll in opener

The KSS Owls played just one good quarter of basketball Thursday night.

That one quarter was more than enough to lead them to a lopsided 85-44 win over the Handsworth Royals to open up the Interior Savings Western Canada Boys Basketball Tournament at KSS.

Despite holding a commanding 49-34 lead at the intermission, Owls coach Harry Parmar was not thrilled with his team's play.

Parmar said the team didn't play fundamental basketball in the opening 20 minutes.

"They went on a 10-0 run when one of our guys threw a lob and it went off the backboard," said Parmar.

"You can't do stuff like that. If we don't do that they don't get runs. Just play solid, fundamental basketball and we'll be fine."

The Owls came were charged up in the third quarter, outscoring Handsworth 30-2 in the quarter. The visitor's only points came on a pair of free throws.

In fact, their first field goal of the second half came with seven-and-a-half minutes left in the fourth.

"I loved the way we played that third quarter. That's the way we should always play."

The Owls spread the ball around on offence and were tenacious on defence and on both boards.

But, the key was the number of turnovers they were able to create with their half court pressure.

"I think we kind of wore them down already in the first half and our guys came with a lot of energy because I subbed a lot in the first half.

"I think it took its toll on them because sometimes we'd press them man and sometimes we'd press them zone. It's confusing and tiring after a while and I always tell my guys, the first thing that goes is the mind."

He said when teams get mentally tired, they make plays and passes they don't want to make.

KSS led by 14 after one quarter and 17 at the half.

They blew the game wide open in the third quarter scoring the first 16 points for a 79-34 lead.

The Owls scored just six points in the fourth quarter as Parmar emptied his bench giving everyone some playing time.

Mason Boucier, the only starter to play all four quarters, led the Owls with 23 points. He added eight boards and one assist in more than 29 minutes of playing time.

Colin McGrath had 14 points while 6'9" Grant Shephard added 13 point, five rebounds and three assists.

Parker Simson was quiet in his 20 minutes of playing time, hitting for eight points and dishing off six assists.

Bryce McLean led Handsworth with 16 points and six rebounds.

The Owls shot an impressive 42.9 per cent from the field and hit seven of 21 from downtown.

Things get tougher for the Owls Friday when they tangle with Harry Ainley Titans, the number one team in Alberta in the semi-finals.

Ainley advanced with a 98-59 win over Kitsilano.

Aher Uguak led Harry Ainley with 28 points and eight boards. Marvin Washington had 25 points, six rebounds, two assists and six steals.

"It's going to be a toss up. They're big, strong, fast and they have beaten us before in front of all of our fans," said Parmar.

KSS won the only meeting between the two teams earlier this season in Alberta.

The other semi will pit John Taylor Collegiate out of Winnipeg, the number one team in Manitoba, against Sir Winston Churchill, the number two rated team in B.C.

John Taylor looked strong in taking down Walnut Grove 88-60 while Churchill pounded Prince George 90-63.



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