The Walnut Grove Gators showed why they are the top-ranked junior boys basketball team in the province.
For three quarters, the R.E. Mountain Eagles hung tough with the Gators, trailing 35-31 in Thursday's Langley district championship game at the Langley Events Centre.
But the Gators took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Eagles 19-9 to win 54-40.
The victory helped Walnut Grove reclaim the district title after they lost the 2014 championship game, ending a string of nine straight titles.
"I think we were nervous at first but really clutched up in the fourth quarter," said Walnut Grove coach Lucian Saucic.
"Some guys made some really big shots."
Leading the way was Gators guard James Woods who hit back-to-back three pointers to create some separation for the Gators.
"He has been doing it all year," Saucic said. "That kid is special."
Woods finished with 17 points while Damen Sturn had 13 points and Andrew Goertzen had 10.
The Eagles were led by 15 points from Kyle Collis and another dozen from Andrew Song.
The Walnut Grove team, which is largely comprised of Grade 9 players, has used strong fourth quarters all season.
The Gators were the number one seed heading into districts after a 7-0 regular season record. They defeated the Langley Saints 63-31 in the semifinals.
Mountain on the other hand, was trying to win their first junior boys district title in school history.
The Eagles were the second seed and edged the Brookswood Bobcats 52-51 in the semifinals.
In the district final, Mountain led 9-6 after one quarter and was within a handful of points throughout the first three quarters before the Gators took over in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles were trying to win their first district title.
"Give credit to Mountain, they battled hard, they played us tough, they challenged us," Saucic said.
In the third-place game, it was the Langley Saints defeating the Brookswood Bobcats 47-30.
All four teams advance to the Fraser Valley regional championships.