The Semiahmoo Totems' run at a provincial hoops title came to an abrupt end Wednesday night in Langley, after a 79-69 loss to the Kitsilano Blue Demons in the first round of BC High School Boys 4A Basketball Championships.
A poor start to the game doomed the No. 9-seed Totems, who trailed No. 8 Kitsilano 18-6 after the first quarter and fell behind by as many as 18 points early in the second, before making a run to close the gap to four points before halftime.
At numerous times – in the second quarter, and again late in the third – Semiahmoo seemed poised to catch the hot-shooting Blue Demons, but each time the South Surrey crew got within a striking distance, a missed shot or turnover – which head coach Ed Lefurgy called "uncharacteristic," – would quell the momentum.
Trailing the entire game also took it's toll on the squad, which was led by the shooting of Bryan Wallack and Vlad Mihaila and the rebounding of Adam Paige.
"It's exhausting, just exhausting," said Totems coach Ed Lefurgy said of playing from behind the entire time.
With the loss, Semiahmoo now moves into the consolation bracket. They face Mount Baker today (Thursday) at 10:15 a.m.
The tournament wraps up Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.