The Vancouver College Fighting Irish have shattered a decades-long curse, securing their first senior boys basketball provincial championship since 1967 with a commanding 94-67 victory over the Dover Bay Dolphins in the Quad A final. The historic win unfolded before an announced crowd of 5,110 at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday, marking a triumphant end to a 59-year wait for the program.
A Record-Setting Achievement
This victory not only breaks the long-standing drought but also sets new records for Vancouver College. The Fighting Irish now hold six provincial titles at British Columbia's top basketball tier, surpassing the Richmond Colts, Burnaby South Rebels, and Oak Bay Bays, who each have five banners. Additionally, this marks Vancouver College's 11th appearance in the finals, establishing another benchmark in the tournament's history dating back to 1945.
Coach Ryan Shams emphasized a forward-looking mindset before the game, telling his team, "Have fun. Don't think about the curse. Don't think about all this rich history. This is our story, we're going to write it and this is the last chapter." His words resonated as the team overcame past near-misses, including six consecutive final four appearances from 2007 to 2012 and third-place finishes in 2020 and 2022.
Key Players and Turning Points
The Fighting Irish were led by Ashton Wong, a 6-foot-4 Grade 12 guard who delivered a stellar performance with 37 points and 12 rebounds, earning him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award. Wong's dominance was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where he scored 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including four consecutive baskets in under three minutes to seal the win.
Supporting contributions came from Micah Mayott with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Lucas Tan-Ngo and Ethan Chiu each added 13 points. For Dover Bay, Dane Schmidt and Joe Linder led the offense with 25 and 23 points, respectively.
The path to victory was paved with resilience, highlighted by a dramatic semifinal comeback against Oak Bay. Trailing 69-58 with just 1:30 remaining, Vancouver College mounted a 12-0 run, capped by Chiu's game-winning free throw with 3.1 seconds left. Tan-Ngo's clutch three-pointer with 19.1 seconds remaining tied the score, fueling the team's belief in their destiny.
Other Provincial Championship Results
The Langley Events Centre hosted a full slate of championship games on Saturday, with notable outcomes across different tiers:
- Single A: The No. 10 Similkameen Sparks upset top-seeded St. John's School Eagles 75-63, capturing their first title since 2001. Balkaran Lidhar was named MVP after posting 27 points and 14 rebounds.
- Double A: The No. 2 Collingwood Cavaliers defeated the No. 1 Notre Dame Jugglers 78-72, securing their second provincial crown in three years. Elliot McNeil earned MVP honors with 28 points, six rebounds, and six steals.
- Triple A: The No. 1 St. Patrick Celtics dominated with a 94-67 win over the No. 2 L.A. Matheson Mustangs, finishing the season with a 38-1 record. Riley Santa Juana led the way with 27 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and five steals, claiming the MVP award.
Future Prospects for Vancouver College
With seven players eligible to return next season and a junior team that recently completed a perfect 34-0 provincial championship run, Vancouver College is poised to remain a formidable force in high school basketball. The program's rich history, combined with this breakthrough victory, sets the stage for continued success in the coming years.
The emotional win not only celebrates a long-awaited triumph but also reinforces the dedication and hard work of players, coaches, and the entire school community. As the Fighting Irish look ahead, they carry the momentum of a season defined by perseverance and historic achievement.
