The Belmont junior boys basketball team came up short in their quest for a provincial championship but their coach is convinced theyB次元官网网址檙e headed in the right direction.

The team managed a record of three wins and two losses at the provincial championship tournament, which took place Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Langley Events Centre.

The Bulldogs beat Surrey 77-64, Kelowna 59-53 and Prince George 66-54.

A 58-48 loss to South Kamloops and a 68-42 setback to Abbotsford left Belmont in the middle of the pack in the standings for the 32-team tournament.

Head coach Curt Spaven said he is pleased with the steady progress the team is making. B次元官网网址淚t was a very successful season considering three years ago the school didnB次元官网网址檛 have a junior team and two years ago we didnB次元官网网址檛 win a game all season,B次元官网网址� Spaven said. B次元官网网址淲e held our own against (SurreyB次元官网网址檚) Lord Tweedsmuir who finished second in the Fraser Valley, arguably the toughest league in the province. That shows weB次元官网网址檙e getting closer.B次元官网网址�

The teamB次元官网网址檚 core is solid with three players returning next year, Spaven noted. Belmont captured the Lower Island division this year and finished in the top 20 B.C. ranking.

B次元官网网址淲e hope to maintain a level of competition where weB次元官网网址檙e a threat to get off the Island every year,B次元官网网址� he said.

Lucas Gage, with two nods, and Julius Kennedy were named player of the game in the Bulldogs victories.

Gage, however, insisted the honour go to Isaac Ickovich for one of the games.

B次元官网网址淭hat shows how close the guys are,B次元官网网址� Spaven added.

Top-ranked Brentwood College from Vancouver Island won the tournament.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com