The G.W. Graham senior boys basketball team captured third place at the Brentwood College tournament on Vancouver Island last weekend.

The Grizzlies' only loss came in overtime during the semifinal when they took on hosts Brentwood in front of a packed, home-town crowd.

"It was a great battle and a game that is going to be invaluable for the Grizzlies come March," said Graham coach Jake Mouritzen.

The Grizzlies had a chance to win the game at the buzzer but couldn't get the ball in the hoop and eventually went down 94-85 to the sixth-ranked squad in OT.

Graham opened the tournament with a convincing 77-36 win over Abbotsford Christian (ranked 12th in the province) and went on to demolish 10th-ranked Lambrick Park 104-65 to earn a spot in the semi-final.

After losing to Brentwood, the Grizzlies rallied for an important 93-58 win over seventh-ranked Southridge.

It was a "huge win" for Graham, according to Mouritzen since the Grizzlies had lost a tight, two-point game to Southridge at their own tournament in Chilliwack in December.

In league play, the Grizzlies are 5-0 after clawing apart Rick Hansen 83-23 Tuesday.

The boys are back in action against Rick Hansen Friday night at home.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. The G.W. Graham senior girls team plays at 6: 15 p.m.

cnaylor@chilliwacktimes.com