Orcas Clip Aviators in Gritty Home Opener, 98-90
Henderson Dominates Boards, Orcas Defense Seals Key Victory
By Sarah Jenkins
VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Orcas kicked off their Pro League home campaign with a hard-fought 98-90 victory over the Atlanta Aviators Tuesday night at the Orca Dome. Buoyed by a dominant rebounding performance and timely defensive stops, Vancouver secured their second win of the young season, demonstrating resilience against a determined Atlanta squad.
The game remained a tight affair for much of the night, with both teams trading blows. The Aviators, despite shooting a less efficient 39.8% from the field, stayed in contention thanks to a higher assist total and a willingness to attack the paint. However, the Orcas’ superior rebounding, particularly from Luna Henderson, proved to be a decisive advantage.
In the third quarter, with the score knotted at 68, the Orcas strung together a crucial 10-2 run fueled by a Griffin Price three-pointer and aggressive defense that forced several Atlanta turnovers. Adrik Petrov of the Aviators kept his team within striking distance, hitting a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to five. But Vancouver’s collective defensive effort, highlighted by multiple blocks and steals from players like Cleo Vargas and Zara Ahmed, stifled Atlanta’s comeback attempts.
“We knew they were going to come out swinging,” said Orcas Head Coach David Chen. “Our rebounding was the difference tonight. Luna was an absolute force on the glass. We have to clean up our shooting percentages, but I’m incredibly proud of the effort.”
Luna Henderson, who posted a double-double, emphasized the team’s focus. “We talked about controlling the boards and making them work for every possession. Tonight, we did that. It feels great to get a win in front of our home crowd.”
Key Notes:
- Vancouver outrebounded Atlanta 53-45, with 15 offensive boards.
- The Orcas’ defense forced 11 turnovers, converting them into crucial points.
- Adrik Petrov led all scorers with 15 points for the Aviators.
- Kenji Tanaka dished out a game-high 5 assists for the Orcas.