The Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) junior boys basketball team placed first at the Condor Classic in Prince George earlier this month, winning all three games they competed in.
Duchess Park Secondary School hosted the Jan.11-12 tournament that consisted of 12 teams from around the province, with CHSS’ team playing all their games against Prince George schools.
“Our tournament championship ... boiled down to a few things,” said Kevin Sawka, junior boys basketball coach.
“Our team plays together and we have depth – we had eight different team members score in double figures over our three games. Likewise our team defence was really solid. In two of our games we held opponents to 35 points or less. I can’t say enough about how they work together.”
On the evening of Jan. 11 the Rainmakers took the court for their face game of the tournament against Prince George’s Kelly Road Secondary School, with the junior boys beating their opponents 42-35. Grade 10 player Nicolis Campbell was named the Team Player of the Game.
Then the Rainmakers faced off against Prince George’s College Height Secondary School in their closest game of the tournament, which ended 54-50 in the junior boys’ favour. Bobby Bob, who’s in Grade 10, was named the Team Player of the Game.
In the final game of the Condor Classic CHSS took on tournament-hosts Duchess Park for the team’s most significant win of 44-33, with Grade 10 student Dominic Irvine earning the Team Player of the Game.
Although coach Sawka is pleased the team won all three games, the win over Duchess Park was the most satisfying.
“Our (Condor Classic) win brings our official record to 10-1 across Northern B.C., the last of which came with a victory over Duchess Park who is currently ranked in the top 14 in the province with an honourable mention ranking,” he said.
The team will be hosting the 13th annual Coastal Clash at Charles Hays Secondary School on Jan.24-25.