The short-handed Ballenas Whalers senior boys basketball team were up against the Woodlands Eagles at home on Tuesday night, looking for their second league win of the season.
With just seven players dressed for the game and three out with injuries, the Whalers were able to come out on top by a score of 65-54, capped by a monster baseline dunk by senior Aaron Paetkau.
“That was huge,” head coach Kevin McMillen said. “He had a dunk on the fast break the previous possession too. He pump-faked the guy baseline in the corner, went right and just hammered it down on the helpless defense. It was pretty cool to see, one of those things you dream of doing yourself.”
Paetkau led the way for the Whalers on the night, scoring 42 points on their way to victory. Michael McKee had his first start of the year and played solid defense.
“We had guys step up for us out there,” McMillen said. “Michael made some good decisions out there, held his own and really filled in great for us. Devon Matheson came off the bench and grabbed some rebounds for us too, so he pitched in as well.”
The Whalers are off to G.P. Vanier in Courtenay this weekend for a big test against Mt. Doug (Victoria), who is the number one ranked AAA team in the South Island.
“That’ll be a big game,” McMillen said. “We’re going to see what we’ll have against them because we’ll see them if we get to Islands, so it’s going to be a good test for sure.”