Griffins city champs again
It may be a surprise to some that the R.C. Palmer Griffins are Richmond high school senior boys’ basketball champions again, but not to longtime coach Paul Eberhardt.
“Many people doubted we would win it again (for a seventh consecutive season) but the boys showed great heart and played incredible basketball when it counted most,” he said.
Palmer capped last week’s playoffs with a 91-81 win over host J.N. Burnett Breakers Friday. This followed a 7-3 regular-season, a record that itself was a bit misleading since two of the losses were in overtime and the other by a point.
Palmer opened the playoffs against the Richmond Colts in a competitive first- round game. The Griffins clung to a 37-36 halftime lead with league MVP Jamie Madewan struggling. Antonio Jhuty scored 19 first-half points to keep Palmer in the game. Madewan found his form in the second half as the Griffins put up 54 points; Madewan with 28 of them in a 91-81 win.
Palmer then overcame a poor shooting first half to top No. 1 seed R.A. McMath Wildcats 80-66 with Madewan netting 27 points.
Palmer earned seven three-pointers and Burnett six in the first quarter of the final. The hot shooting continued for Palmer in the second as the Griffins pulled out to a 60-37 halftime lead.
Madewan capped a brilliant tournament with a 35-point showing “proving he can produce in big games,” said Eberhardt.
The Lower Mainland AA playoffs were set to begin Tuesday.
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