Trailing Corner Brook 36-28 at the break, the Summerside high school outscored its opposition 49-31 over the final two quarters to claim the title by a 77-67 count.
“We adjusted the offence to running and it started to work,” said Three Oaks head coach Faro Halupa. “Sometimes it’s that simple.
“We were shooting eight of 43 in the first half, so shots had to start falling eventually. That’s what I told them at halftime. You have to keep shooting, and some were going to go in for us and then they finally did.”
The tournament’s consolation game went to Nechako Valley Secondary after they downed the host Breton Education Centre Bears 70-65.
Championship game
In the championship game, Three Oaks led 18-16 after the first quarter, but trailed by eight at the half.
The Axemen took control of the game when they went on a 12-4 run over the first 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter to take a 42-40 lead, and ended the quarter up 54-52.
“I said (Friday) that Three Oaks is a very good school, and we put as much fight as we could. It’s like putting a dam up and we managed to contain them for three periods, so that’s the best we can do. I thought our boys played well, and they didn’t walk over us.” - Corner Brook coach Frank Foo
In the fourth quarter, Three Oaks grabbed a 23-15 scoring margin.
“I said (Friday) that Three Oaks is a very good school, and we put as much fight as we could,” said Corner Brook coach Frank Foo. “It’s like putting a dam up and we managed to contain them for three periods, so that’s the best we can do. I thought our boys played well, and they didn’t walk over us.”
Dylan Gallant scored all 20 of his points in the second half to lead the Three Oaks attack. His teammate Mark Matheson spread his 20 points over four quarters. Corner Brook’s balanced shooting featured a trio of 14-point scorers – Daniel Foo, Ryan Harnett and Jay Warford.
Tournament MVP
Alec Parise of the Axemen was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Matheson was named a first-team all-star.
gmcneil@cbpost.com
