News

The YMCA Bantam A Caps boys team won Silver in their Invitational Hoops Tournament hosted this weekend at the UNB Currie Centre in Fredericton.  Kindly add this to the news section of the Y Capitals website.  The following are highlights of the Caps’ tournament games:  

Teams:

The teams played in a round robin format to determine seeding for the bronze and gold medal games. 

ROUND ROBIN SEEDING GAMES:

GAME 1:   Y Caps 46 vs. NMBA Lions 22

The Caps opened their Invitational Hoops Tournament on Saturday morning against cross-town rivals the NMBA Lions.  The Lions always bring their “A” game to this rivalry and, at least early on, did the same in this game.  First half action saw the Caps take slight lead of 18-13 with both teams seeking to find their tournament legs.  The second half was a different story as the Caps assumed the role of unfriendly tournament hosts and tightened up their defense, unleashed a fierce full-court press that resulted in several turnovers and started clicking on offence - all of which resulted in a 28-9 second half and a final score of 46-22 for the Caps. 

Leading the way for the Caps were Lance Mombourquette with 12 points while Liam Wallace chipped in 9 and Eric D’Amours 8.  On the boards, D’Amours and Mombourquette led the way with 11 and 6 rebounds respectively.  Wallace led the team in steals with 5 while Mombourquette added 4 to the larceny.  

Leading the Lions in scoring were 3 players with 4 points apiece – Owen Blacquier, Brady Blacquier and Cameron Evans.

Players of the Game - Caps:    Liam Wallace

Hustler of the Game - Caps:    Jacob Moore

Players of the Game – Lions:  Brady Blacquier

Hustler of the Game – Lions: Brandon Gahan

GAME 2:    Y Caps 61 vs KV Slammers 41

In their second game of the tournament, the Caps hosted the KV Slammers, a team that had caused them great issues in the past and had been undefeated against the Caps this season.  A focused and determined Caps team were not about to let that happen again in this round-robin tilt on their home court.

A close game with both teams swapping baskets in the first half resulted in a slim 27-25 Caps half-time lead.  The second half was a different story as the Caps tightened up on defense and exerted full court pressure which led to many more opportunities for their offence.  As a result, the Caps spread a slight 2 point half-time lead to an insurmountable 20 point lead and a 61-41 final score.  What was particularly of note was that the Caps were able to hold an explosive Slammers offense to a mere 16 points in the second half.

Leading the Caps in this effort were Gabe LaCroix with 14 points and Lance Mombourquette with 11.  On the boards, Jacob Moore led the team in rebounds with 6 while LaCroix and Mombourquette added 5 apiece.  Mombourquette was also in the “giving mood” spreading the ball around with 5 assists.

Leading the Slammers in scoring were Liam McKee with 16 points.

Players of the Game - Caps:  Lance Mombourquette

Hustler of the Game - Caps:    Gabe LaCroix

Players of the Game - Slammers:  Liam McKee

Hustler of the Game - Slammers:  James MacDougall

GAME 3:   Y Caps 61 vs Lancaster Lynx 32

In their third game of the tournament, the Caps took on a determined Lancaster Links team that held high hopes of upsetting a team they hadn’t beaten this season.  A focused Caps team were not about to let that happen as they started fast and led at half by 16 points (33-17). A stubborn Caps team continued that effort in the second half and extended their lead by another 13 points resulting in a final score of 61-32.

The Caps had a very balanced offensive attack, spreading the ball around well.  Leading the Caps in scoring once again was Lance Mombourquette with 13 while LaCroix and Caleb Scholten added 9 points each.  On the boards, Mombourquette completed his “double-double” with a whopping 12 rebounds.  Jacob Moore lead the team in steals with 5 while a generous Caps offence benefitted from Gabe LaCroix providing 3 assists and Dom Doiron, Moore and Mombourquette spreading the ball around with 2 apiece.

Leading the Lynx in scoring were Cayden Sugden and Jack Gimby with 9 points each.

Players of the Game - Caps:  Lance Mombourquette 

Hustler of the Game - Caps:    Jacob Moore

Players of the Game - Lynx:  Evan Gower

Hustler of the Game - Lynx:  Cole Fitzgerald

GAME 4:    Y Caps 53 vs Western Valley Attack 15

Despite entering the game undefeated with a 3-0 record, the Caps needed a strong performance and a win to advance directly to the gold medal final.  In their way was the Western Valley Attack – a team that had caused the Caps some concern in the past with their aggressive, hard-nosed play. 

In this game, the Caps were determined to extinguish any thoughts of an upset early on with a stingy defense and hard-working full court press.  Through an impressive defensive team effort, the Caps lead 18-10 at the half and then exerted their will with a convincing 37-5 second half on their way to a decisive 53-15 contest.

Leading the Caps on offense were Eric D’Amours with 10 points, while Lance Mombourquette and Liam Wallace each chipped in 8.  Mombourquette also dominated on the boards with 8 rebounds while D’Amours contributed 4.   As evidence of their determination on defense and the fierce full court press they unleashed, the Caps had an unbelievable 31 steals with Jacob Moore leading the way with 7 while D’Amours and Caleb Scholten added 5 each.  The team also spread the ball around well on offense with Matthew LeBlanc and Mombourquette leading the way with 3 assists each.

Leading the Western Valley Attack in scoring was Keegan Page with 8 points.

Players of the Game - Caps:  Liam Wallace

Hustler of the Game - Caps:    Eric D’Amours

Players of the Game - Attack: Keegan Page

Hustler of the Game - Attack:  Avery Findlater

GOLD MEDAL GAME

KV Slammers 54 vs. Y Capitals 50

In a very exciting final, the Caps were looking to extend their undefeated tournament and to replicate their round-robin win against the KV Slammers who were not about to roll over against the tournament hosts.

This game was a nail-biter from the start with both teams trying to tighten up on defense but the real story was the see-saw offensive displays that saw the teams swap buckets throughout the contest.  The Caps started off well with some great defensive stops and some inspired offense but the Slammers fought back late in the half. The Caps went into half with a slim 30-25 lead.  KV wasn’t about to back down and star Liam McKee took the team on his back in the second as the Slammers were able to outscore the Caps 29-20 in the second half which resulted in a slim four-point win at 54-50.

Leading a balanced Caps offense were Lance Mombourquette with 14, Gabe Lacroix with 11, Eric D’Amours with 8 and Jacob Moore and Caleb Scholten contributing 7 each. On the boards, D’Amours led the way with 6 rebounds.  Mombourquette led the team in assists with 5 while also pacing the team with 4 steals. 

Players of the Game - Caps:  Lance Mombourquette

Hustler of the Game - Caps:   Caleb Scholten

Players of the Game - Slammers: Liam McKee

Hustler of the Game - Slammers:  Ross Daigle

FINAL RESULTS:

GOLD:                      KV Slammers

SILVER:                    Y Caps

BRONZE:                  Western Valley Attack