LBI secures lead in MV Rec League
Feb 08, 2013 12:00 am
REGION -- With speed, grace and athleticism, LBI dominated a depleted Bethel Bobcats and all but secured first place with two games remaining in the regular season in the Mountain Valley Rec League.
Last year's winners showed their championship pedigree with a sound 86-65 victory. Now 9-1, LBI suffered their only loss to the 8-2 Hotel Rumford team, who are now entrenched in second place. Barring an unlikely major upset, both should secure first round byes in the playoffs. Bethel is now 7-3 and looks to finish third and host a first round prelim game.
Laid Back Installers started out strong and developed a lead right away that they never relinquished. Eric Canwell was his usual dominant force with 31 points, including three from behind the arc. Chris Baxter had a strong inside game and was next with 24 points, followed by Owen Jones with 11. Bethel was led by Matt Zetts with 21 points, Ryan Savage chipped in 16 and Wade Osgood had 12.
In the other two games, Hotel Rumford defeated Archies (2-8), 75-52 in easy fashion. Black Bear Industries(4-6) trounced The Thundercats (0-10), 95-60. Hotel Rumford got balanced scoring and saw Aaron St. Pierre finish with 21 points on 7 threes before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Andy Shorey, Jr and Kevin Gallant (5 threes) helped with 19 points each, followed by Scot New with 12. Archies got top performances from Mike Holmquist with 23 points (3 threes) and Brett Archibald with 16 points.
Black Bear Industries received a huge game from Josh Albee with 39 points, including 8 threes. Corey Provencher followed with 15 points, Craig Jacques had 14 and Kevin Prevost with 13. The Thundercats' Mike Leclerc hit 4 threes and led his team with 20 points, while Jessie Cross hit the highlight reel with 18 points of his own.
On Sunday, Black Bear Industries plays Hotel Rumford at 10 a.m. At 11:30, Bethel and The Thundercats are matched. At 2 p.m., LBI takes on Archies. All games and updated information can be found on the league web site, mvrbl.webs.com.