ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot more to the Mount Douglas Rams boys basketball team than all-stars Conor Morgan and Elliott Rowe.
No doubt the two returning seniors are the face of the Rams B次元官网网址 Rowe is possibly the premier guard on the Island and MorganB次元官网网址檚 a rare combination of height (6-foot-7) and shooting ability.
But keying on those two only invites a hungry roster of Rams pawing the hardwood for a chance to shoot the ball.
And shoot the ball they can.
The high-scoring Rams put up 91 points to the Oak Bay Bays 83 on Saturday in the final of Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Gary Taylor Classic.
Rowe scored 30 points in the final against Oak Bay and was named the tourneyB次元官网网址檚 MVP as he joined Conor (29 points) on the tourneyB次元官网网址檚 first all-star team. ItB次元官网网址檚 the second straight tournament win for the Rams, who beat the Belmont Bulldogs in the Cowichan Welcome Back championship final one week earlier.
On Dec. 15, the Rams were ranked 10th in the province among AAA teams, one back of the ninth ranked Bays, though that rank is expected to flip.
B次元官网网址淲e can put B次元官网网址檈m up B次元官网网址 thereB次元官网网址檚 no problem scoring baskets,B次元官网网址 said Dave Morgan, who coaches the Rams with Skip Cronck.
For their part, the Bays can B次元官网网址減ut B次元官网网址檈m up too.B次元官网网址 Despite losing it was Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 second time surpassing 80 points in one week. The Bays beat the Claremont Spartans 84-74 in league play on Dec. 13.
But the Rams never trailed in the Gary Taylor final, leading the Bays by as much as 18 points at one point.
B次元官网网址淔or us to be more than an outside shot at provincials the key is defence. WeB次元官网网址檙e working on it and weB次元官网网址檙e improving,B次元官网网址 said coach Morgan, whoB次元官网网址檚 with the Rams so he could be part of his sonB次元官网网址檚 team.
For Conor Morgan, a more rounded game is paramount not only for winning close contests, but also for a chance at a post-secondary playing career.
In the meantime the Rams have kept their opponents in check with the best offence on the Island.
Rowe runs the floor but more and more, the ball is going to Grade 11 guard Harry Mar.
B次元官网网址淢arB次元官网网址檚 coming into his own and gaining confidence as a top-six player,B次元官网网址 Morgan said. B次元官网网址淚t gives Rowe a chance to shoot.B次元官网网址
Another Grade 11, 6-foot-5 Curtis Wilson is still growing. He nabbed 16 rebounds against Oak Bay on Saturday. The Rams also have a secret weapon in Gurpinder Kang, B次元官网网址渁nother strong shooter they can turn to,B次元官网网址 as well as a dedicated bench of Grade 12 role players including Terrell Davis, Toby Zhu and Sarbi Bassi.