The Heritage Woods Kodiaks' Mitch Ligertwood is not your standard big man on the basketball court.

At six-foot-six and 200 pounds, the Port Moody native brings a well-rounded presence to the game, along with a nose for the big moment.

Athletic and well-versed in the benefits of team work, Ligertwood also gets a grin on when he makes a big shot. He watches NBA big men like Blake Griffin and their monster slams with appreciation.

The 17-year-old forward had an opportunity to lock up a win for Heritage Woods against crosstown rival Port Moody Blues last week, only to get jostled at the hoop - resulting in an 89-83 overtime loss.

"I missed a layup at the buzzer, one I should have got and we lost in overtime," Ligertwood said. "I was upset at myself, I thought maybe I was fouled on the play but you can't wait for the call."

The Kodiaks improved to 5-2 with Tuesday's 87-57 win over Fraser Heights despite losing Ligertwood two minutes into the game with a finger injury.

"Without Mitch we had to rely on rebound-by-committee approach and the guys stepped up," Heritage Woods coach Greg Schellenberg said.

Listed as day-to-day, Ligertwood could be available for tonight's big test, 7: 30 p.m. at Terry Fox against the No. 7ranked Ravens, his coach said.

"He's got a lot of experience playing basketball with B.C. at the nationals," Schellenberg said of Ligertwood's past summer. "He's played against tough competition in big games. At six-foot-six he brings a big presence on defence in the paint."

As a member of B.C.'s under-17 team, Ligertwood replaced injured six-foot-11 post Braxston Bunce at the National under-17 championships and helped the club earn bronze.

"It was unfortunate, no one wants to see a teammate go down to injury," recalled the 17-year-old Ligertwood. "It opened up a big opportunity for me and I wanted to make the most of it for my team."

He averaged almost 12 points and ended up on the u17 second all-star team as a big force at both ends of the court.

It's what the Kodiaks need to survive the rough and tumble Fraser Valley North league.

Along with fellow vets Tamer Gasmalla and Brandon Lau, Ligertwood brings a keen competitive edge to these big games. Last week's results demonstrated just how fragile the squad's confidence can be.

"Against Centennial we trailed for virtually the first three quarters," recalled Schellenberg. "They finally turned the switch and pulled away in the final quarter. But in this league, you can't be thinking you can turn the switch on and off."

Ligertwood, who recently committed to play at the University of Calgary next fall, says their ability to compete with the likes of Fox will dictate how long the season goes.

"In past years we've been able to compete with them, and we need to do it again.

Last year at the Valleys we were up by a few but we lost it. It was heartbreaking," said Ligertwood.

dolson@thenownews.com