Red Deer Scores Upset of Clippers

By Jeff Misener

The Briercrest Clippers (14-7) hosted the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (12-9) in men's basketball action as the ACAC playoffs kicked off in Caronport, SK. From the opening tip, the Kings controlled the pace of play and they repelled several furious rallies by the hosts to earn a 92-76 victory and advance in the postseason.

Red Deer's Efe Iyamu opened the scoring from three, but Briercrest replied as Riley Seaborn found an unguarded Carter Waind at the rim. The Kings attacked the paint with good success, while Briercrest looked out of synch. A long triple from Owen Shepherd-Hills led to a series of confident defensive stops by the hosts, but quick hands from the Red Deer defenders thwarted their scoring efforts. 

After Deandre Rowe scurried to the rim, Jude Shepherd-Hills and Francis Dogani nailed back-to-back treys to energize the crowd. The home team sensed an opportunity to attack after Zach Martens' tremendous chase-down block, but Iyamu went off on offense for the visitors. Waind and Seaborn hit from close range and Owen Shepherd-Hills splashed a transition three, but Deandre Rowe and Kyle Hussein Abdi answered. Jude Shepherd-Hills and Iyamu traded bombs in the final minute of the half.

The Clippers came out of the break with fresh passion for protecting their rim and the Shepherd-Hills boys stepped up at both ends, stoking the home team's hopes even further. Briercrest profitably exploited gaps in Red Deer's defense while locking down the Kings' shooters, limiting them to single looks at the rim. 

Opening the last frame, Red Deer's Mac Manyluk and Jude Shepherd-Hills traded scores from beyond the arc. Needing to string successes together at both ends, Briercrest frequently settled for quick looks on offense, while the Kings were methodical and savvy in their use of the shot clock. Led by the Shepherd-Hills siblings, the home team provided their fans with moments of joy, but Red Deer had an answer for every Briercrest attempt to mount a comeback.

Player of the Game for the visiting Ambrose Lions was Tyrique Walters, who had 19 off the bench, matching the output of starter Deandre Rowe. José Barrozo Júnior collected 18 rebounds to go with his 11 points. Briercrest's POG was Jude Shepherd-Hills, who led all scorers with 24 points to go with a dozen boards. Owen Shepherd-Hills chipped in with 15 points and Francis Dogani had 12.