Posted: Mar 01, 2025
March 1st - Game 11 Gold MBB Championship
It was an absolutely electric atmosphere as the defending champion Keyano Huskies faced the playoff host Briercrest Clippers in the gold medal game of the playoffs. As high as the stakes were, there was also a sense of vindication on the line for the Clippers in the quest to win their first ACAC title. If Briercrest's 19-1, nationally ranked regular season sounds familiar, that's because it is. They had an identical record in 2012/2013 and it was the Huskies who bounced them out of the playoffs back then, so this was an opportunity for reparations.
The Clippers fed off the energy of the standing-room-only crowd as they raced out to a 9-0 lead after tip-off. The walls were vibrating and it was an impressive feat that the Huskies were able to collect themselves in the face of such pandemonium. They traded baskets with Briercrest and did their best to survive as every shot, steal, and block by the home team were zealously cheered by the partisan crowd. The Clippers led 20-8 as the first quarter concluded and it felt like things were going the hosts' way.
Keyano's Keenan Miller started off a 6-0 run for the Huskies to start off the second quarter, but Jude Shepherd-Hills and Francis Dogani knocked down consecutive shots to answer right back and ensure that the momentum stayed with the Clippers. Both teams slugged it out in the paint with the Huskies' Tafari Carefoote-Jones setting up Keenen Caribou for a gorgeous alley-oop. Oroma Bongomin responded for Briercrest with a strong drive to the basket, collecting the basket and the foul. The home side led 38-32 at the half.
Francis Dogani took over to start the third quarter with several drives to the net and stifling defensive play. He put a defender on roller skates on more than one occasion and helped his squad to a 60-50 lead with ten minutes to play and the title feeling more tangible with each passing moment.
Carter Waind drained a dagger to open the final quarter, followed by a steal by Shepherd-Hills to open up a 14-point lead. The Clippers poured it on as Riley Seaborn and Zach Martens pushed the lead to 17, and no amount of time-outs could blunt the inertia as Briercrest marched to their first ever championship. A series of three-pointers made it a little closer during garbage time for the Huskies, but the roof nearly came off the gym as the Clippers closed out a 79-73 victory and were swarmed by their adoring fans.
"Everyone trusted each other," commented playoff MVP Francis Dogani after the game. "All the brotherhood, all the love we have for each other... the school rallying around us- it was a battle and I'll never forget this moment... We have the best fans in the league."
Clippers coach Shane Sowden offered his thoughts on winning their first ACAC title: "I was very impressed that the guys were calm, composed, and confident. We had the lead the entire game... the guys stuck to the game plan defensively and it worked."
Keyano's Keenen Caribou won player of the game honours for his team with 23 points, while Jude Shepherd-Hills got the nod for the Clippers with 20 points and 3 steals.