Four of the Comox Valley's top basketball players at the university level are heading into the playoffs Feb. 24-25 and March 1-3.
"We can be proud that the basketball heritage we have here in Courtenay and Comox continues with stellar play by Ryan MacKinnon (Highland), Calvin Westbrook (G.P. Vanier), Keenan Milburn (Isfeld) and Tyler Olsen (Isfeld)," said longtime Vanier coach Larry Street. "The league action is over now, and the bigger events are coming up."
MacKinnon played super-man this past Friday when his University of Victoria Vikings hosted the UBC Thunderbirds in their last regular season league game ... one that determined who would be in first place and host playoff games and who would have to travel.
By all accounts, the game will go into the UVic history books as one of the best basketball games ever played at McKinnon Gym. A packed house of over 2,200 fans witnessed the Vikes defeat UBC 90-83, with a spectacular three-pointer by MacKinnon with 14 seconds left to play to breaking an 83-83 tie.
That was only the icing on the cake for MacKinnon, who ended with 23 points, four key rebounds, five breathtaking assists, and four timely steals while only having a one-minute rest break.
"You could see the fire in Ryan's eyes," Street said. "He was determined to do well. He also was honoured before the game as a fifth-year senior playing his last regular season game at the home of the Vikings."
The Vikings are ranked sixth in Canada and MacKinnon is the seventh best scorer in the nation, averaging 20 points per game.
The Vikes host the Calgary Dinos this weekend in a best-of-three quarter-final series starting Friday, Feb. 24, continuing Saturday, Feb. 25 (both games at 7 p.m.) with a third game if needed on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The primary point guard for the Dinos is fifth year player Keenan Milburn who is looking forward to some hometown fans cheering him on against an old rival. Milburn was honoured at the Dinos' Seniors Night last weekend.
Meanwhile Westbrook, the captain and leader of the Trinity Western University Spartans, is poised for the playoffs too. His 15-point average and tenacious defence goes to Saskatoon to take on the University of Saskatchewan. "A tough match up, but remember that Calvin took his team to the national championship final last year and the Spartans are playoff savvy," Street said.
The fourth Valley boy gearing up for the playoffs is Vancouver Island University Mariners fourth-year player Tyler Olsen of Fanny Bay. The 6'6" forward leads the Ms to Vancouver for the B.C. Junior College Championships. "Tyler's sisters Tiffany and Chelsey Olsen of the TWU Spartans women's team just missed the playoffs this year," Street noted.
