Plenty of hoopla happening recently, relating to commotion in the world of basketball. The NBA playoff finals were exciting, with the Oklahoma City Thunder downing the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the championship series for their first title. Leading the way was MVP Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Then the NBA entry draft last week where the Dallas Mavericks predictably used first pick to take Duke star Cooper Flagg. Toronto Raptors picked forward Collin Murray-Boyes ninth, then parted ways with team president Masai Ujiri. Lots of talking points for hoop fans.
There was also plenty of basketball excitement for local fans this past season, as various teams from Nanaimo high schools enjoyed success. Leading the way was the Dover Bay Secondary AAAA senior boys’ squad, hoping to repeat their provincial championship triumph from last year when they competed at AAA level. And they gave it a great try. The Dover boys won the North Islands, hosted and placed third at the Island tournament, then challenged and beat Oak Bay to earn a berth to provincials in Langley. There they made it all the way to the final before losing to defending champions Spectrum Thunder in the first all-Island provincial final since 1978. A super season for players Arsh Chahal, Evan Slater, Joe Linder, Frank Linder, Van Suiter, Justyce Dahling, Landen Ross, Ahmed Eltahhan, Hudson Trood, Andrii Zhukov, Braedon Collins, Dane Schmidt, along with head coach Darren Seaman, assistants Michael Linder and Curtis Slater and team manager Eric Linder.
Credit also to the Nanaimo District Secondary Islanders senior boys’ team which qualified for the AAAA Islands this year. Coached by Don Rinald, Dylan Lyons and Tyler Anderson, players were Graedon Ratanshi, Max Rowe, Nhat Truong, Ben Tomasson, Zach Jones, Eli Rinald, Cohen Schick, Keenan de Wit, Troy Lam, Tobin Sterner, Sullivan Berry, Conner Chew and Victor Bjarnason.
At the AAA level, the senior boys from Wellington Secondary won North Island and Island titles before losing in the consolation final of their provincial tournament. Luke Letham coached team members J.J. Gonzales, Gavin Duncanson, Taiyo McCaskie, Noah Robertson, Cassius Russell, Joe Madill, Dimitri Vassilopolous, Hudson Minifie, Everly Knudsen, Jackson Peters, Holden West, Brayden Savage, Tom Laycock, Grayson Ritzand and Keegan Brouwer.
Also on the court this season was a AAA senior boys’ team from John Barsby Secondary, coached by Rick Hart. Representing their school were players Jamal Bayan, Hayden Beaulieu, Eric Bellerose, Damion Cathrine, Michael Chirchir, Charlie Deschambault, Rymar Desquitodo, Finn Duncan, Jacob Fair, Arjun Janjua, Max Lillyman, Bruno Lino-Felicio, Braydn Lombardi, Kofi Lyle, Ethan Lytle, Sam Peterson, Wyatt Toomer and Nova Tropea.
Top senior girls’ team at the AAA level this season was the entry from Wellington Secondary, coached by Nicole McRae, Dave Brown and Victoria Brown. Wellington came fourth in the Islands, losing the game to qualify for provincials by just two points. A fine season for players Avery Luciuk, Eshmeet Ajula, Gray Talbot, Sam Robinson, Abby Morgan, Olivia Ingrey, Nami Barber, Charli Slater, Emmalee Armour, Fiona Stewart and Tracy Pham.
There were no AA senior boys’ teams from local schools this year, but John Barsby had a AA girls’ team which competed at North Islands. Team members were Rhyan Barfoot, Josephine Braunworth, Brooklyn Gillich, Mea Goodwin, Brooklyn Greene, Ai Ishida, Maria Nakuna, Natasha Phillips, Kali Piling, Ida Tillman, Kaydance Tom, Brielle Tom and Lizzy Waugh. Providing the coaching was Chris Barfoot and team sponsor was Evan Symons.
More local basketball highlights to come in a future column.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
