The Summerland Secondary School senior boys’ Rockets basketball team has had a good start to their 2015-2016 season under new coach, Andrew Baron.
They recently took third place at a tournament at Kelowna Christian that was held on Dec. 11 and 12.
The Rockets beat Osoyoos in the their first game, 75-73, in an exciting last second victory as Jared Breitkreuz drove to the hoop and scored a layup with 0.3 of a second remaining.
In that match, Spencer McIntosh was chosen as Player of the Game for his 34 point effort and Scott Richards was chosen for the Hustle Award due to his outstanding rebounding.
In the second game, Scott Richards was chosen Player of the Game and Jared Breitkruz won the Hustle Award in a losing effort against host Kelowna Christian.
In their final game of the tournament, the Rockets went up against Okanagan Mission.
The Rockets had a slow start in the first half, but managed to turn it around in the second half to win the game and earn the third place trophy.
Landon Brickenden was named Player of the Game due to his 23-second half points and Geoff Stathers was given the Hustle Award for his excellent effort in the game.
Earlier, on the weekend of Dec. 4 to 6, the team travelled to Osoyoos and came home with a 1-2 record.
The first game of the weekend pitted the Rockets against Similkameen Elementary Secondary School in Keremeos.
The first three quarters were a back and forth battle until some timely shots helped Keremeos pull away for a final score of 64-55.
McIntosh and Brickenden paced the Rockets with a combined 42 points and 24 rebounds.
McIntosh picked up player of the game honours.
The second game saw the Rockets battle it out in an overtime thriller against Regent Christian Academy.
The Rockets maintained a double digit lead for most of the game until Regent Christian Academy hit a three with little time remaining to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Brickenden took over the game, scoring eight consecutive points while the Rockets outscored the Royals 11-0 in just a five minute period.
Brickenden earned player of the game honours with a 66-54 win.
In the final affair of the weekend, Summerland endured a short handed game against Aberdeen from Kelowna.
With only six players available, the Rockets took the game tied into the fourth quarter before finally running out of gas, ending the weekend with a 62-44 loss.
Jared Breitkruez tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Scotty Richards pulled in 14 points and 18 rebounds.
The two shared player of the game honours.
The team next plays in the Pen-Hi Tournament on Dec. 17 and 18, and will also take part in the entertaining Summerland Secondary School Alumni Tournament which will take place on Boxing Day this year at the high school gym.
Overall, Coach Andrew Baron is pleased with the Rockets start to the season and is looking forward to continued individual development and team success in the New Year.