Canada moves on to quarterfinals Friday

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A West Hill Collegiate grad was instrumental in Canada pulling off one of its most incredible hoops comebacks Wednesday at a 12-team Olympic qualifier in Athens, keeping alive Canada's Olympic chances.

For the second straight game, Scarborough native Rowan Barrett led the Canadian national team in scoring, in an improbable 79-77 comeback over South Korea, with 22 points and six three-pointers.

One of his treys came with 1:19 remaining, which brought Canada to within two points - the closest the teams had been since the start of the second quarter.

In fact, Canada was down by 18 points (51-33) at the half.

Keyed by a stingy defense, offensive rebounding and some clutch shooting, however, a 13-0 run by Canada to end the game completed the miraculous comeback.

Another ex-east Toronto high school player is also playing a key role for the Canadians.

Point guard Jermaine Anderson, who suited up for the powerhouse Eastern Commerce team (the school's located just south of Donlands subway stop), scored 17 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Red and White, including the final four points of the game that consisted of a game-winning three-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to put Canada up for good 78-77.

The Toronto native would add a single free throw that would prove the exclamation point on an unfathomable victory for the Senior Men's Team that seemed all but out of reach after the first two quarters of play.

Korea had a chance to tie the game on the final possession, but an off-balance lay-up with seconds to go rimmed out, sealing the dramatic Canadian victory.

Barrett had also led Canada in scoring with 16 points in their opening round 86-70 loss to Slovenia on Monday.

Anderson contributed nine points in that game, as did Joel Anthony of Montreal, while Dave Thomas of Brampton scored 10 points.

Another former West Hill student, Denham Brown, did not report to the Team Canada training camp in Toronto earlier this month.

Rowan, 35, who is returning to the Canadian team after a five-year absence, is the lone holdover from Canada's 2000 Olympic team to Sydney, which included point guard Steve Nash, finishing seventh with a 5-2 record.

Canada will have to guard against a letdown as they face another do-or-die game in the quarterfinal round Friday, July 18 against Puerto Rico.

Only the Top 3 teams make it from the Olympic qualifying tournament, which means both semifinal winners advance, plus the winner of the bronze medal game (fought by the semifinal losers).

Canada is ranked 17th and Puerto Rico 12th. South Korea was ranked 25th.

Games are being carried by The Score. Check television listings.