Despite some turbulent B次元官网网址渦ps and downsB次元官网网址� early in the season, the Belmont Bulldogs are looking like a serious contender in the IslandB次元官网网址檚 AAA basketball conference.

The Bulldogs made it to the final of Cowichan secondary schoolB次元官网网址檚 annual Welcome Back tournament on Saturday, only to lose to the Mount Douglas Rams 77-69.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a big step for the Bulldogs, as most coaches are pointing to Mount Doug as a favourite on the Island.

Coach Kevin Brown says the Bulldogs players can build a lot off of it but realize theyB次元官网网址檙e still relatively inexperienced.

B次元官网网址�(Our guys) know their potential. And they know the kids (on Mount Doug and other teams). They know they can play with them because theyB次元官网网址檝e all played in the same summer league. It just took our guys some getting used to playing on their own team.B次元官网网址�

Belmont defeated the Claremont Spartans 76-73 in the semifinal, with Claremont taking the third place game over Ladysmith 70-45.

Brown said Belmont could have made the final even closer if not for a slow start.

B次元官网网址淲e got a little nervous with Mount Doug carrying an early season reputation as being the team-to-beat.B次元官网网址�

Down by 13 at the half, the Bulldogs upped their pressure and intensity to bring the score within two in the fourth quarter. But that was as close as theyB次元官网网址檇 get.

Grade 12s Jordan Fenn, Brock Holland and Erik Spaven combined for about 60 points against the Rams, said the coach. Guards Holland and Fenn are part of an interchangeable attack with Grade 11 Kane Johnston doing the majority of the ball handling, Brown said.

B次元官网网址淗olland is really rising to the challenge despite playing limited minutes as a Grade 11 (last season).B次元官网网址�

The Bulldogs met the Rams again on Tuesday in league play (past press time). Both will play in this weekendB次元官网网址檚 Gary Taylor Classic at Oak Bay High.