The Howe Sound Sounders senior boys' basketball team continued its strong regular season, posting two consecutive wins in the team's most recent games.
The Sounders hosted Bodwell Secondary School on Jan. 21 and bested them 73-58 to remain undefeated at home in Tier AA regular season action. Head coach Ron Roberts said he was pleased with the squad's effort.
"Some of our guys were still feeling the effects of the flu, but Randeep [Grewal] and Gurjot [Gill] picked up their scoring touch and the bench gave a gritty performance," he said in an email. "We played steady defence, and held leads of 16-9, 33-23, 52-42, at the end of each quarter. Turnovers, while still a concern, dropped to 15."
Grewal led the team with 27 points, while Gill added 18. Tarn Brar had a team-high 13 rebounds in the win.
Howe Sound travelled down the highway on Jan. 24 to take on the Rockridge Secondary Ravens and walked away with a 68-58 win. Roberts said the game was chippy at times, but that he was happy with the way his team played through it.
"Rockridge did their best to throw us off our game by grabbing and holding and there were more than a few elbows thrown by both sides," he said. "That type of game was the only way Rockridge could stay in the game with us and it worked for them."
The Ravens managed to close the gap to five heading into the final quarter, but Howe Sound outscored Rockridge 24-19 in the fourth. Avi Arellano had an impressive all-around game with a team-high 33 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Brar again led the team with 18 rebounds.
The wins improved Howe Sound's score to four wins and one loss in AA league play, but Roberts said the team still needs to work on more effective ways of dealing with defensive pressure.
"Our biggest concern is playing against pressure," he said. "As soon as we see a press we panic and feel we have to quicken our pace instead of slowing and making good decisions."
Howe Sound will next travel to Vernon to participate in a tournament out there on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 1 and 2).
For more information on high school basketball, visit www.bcboysbasketball.com.
