Both the junior boys and girls teams from Charles Hays Secondary School will be moving on to play basketball from all over the Province in March, after playing well in each division’s zones earlier this month.
“Overall the team’s effort was very good. We had a hard time choosing the All-Stars of the team, there was about six or seven players who were deserving.” Said junior boys coach Kevin Sawka.
The boys played three games during zones, the first of which being held Friday, February 17, against Smithers beating them 83 to 22.
Starting off day two of the Round Robin, the Rainmakers took on Skeena beating the Terrace-team 43 to 37, after player Jeremy Stewart managed to get a three-point goal with around thirty seconds left on the clock, securing the Rainmakers’ lead.
Since Skeena had beaten Smithers as well, it was the Rainmakers versus Skeena yet again for the final game, with the boys managing to beat Skeena once more, this time 67 to 51.
Although it was difficult to name, in the end Garrett Kobza and Saul Rudderham were named the team’s All-Stars, with John Sampson being named MVP.
The boys will now move on to the BC Championships taking place in Vancouver starting on March 8 and running until March 10.
The junior girls ended up coming in second place in zones after the twelve-player team had to play five games, four of which were all held on Saturday, February 18. The first game on Saturday was against Skeena, who beat the Rainmakers by two points.
“We had to come through the back door. We played Bulkey Valley and beat them by one.” Explained coach Anna Ashley.
The girls then went on to play Skeena again, this time beating the team by seventeen points.
“Then we had to play again against Skeena and ended up losing by one. We just sort of ran out of steam.” Said Ashley.
Even though the girls placed second, they will be playing in Provincials this year, which are happening in Langely start March 7 until March 10. At the junior level, BC School Sports does not sanction Provincials, so teams have to register separately. All of the schools in the region were alerted of this, however the Rainmakers was the only team that did register to go to Provincials.
“I’m really proud of the girls. They played awesome, and hopefully we make a good showing at Provincials.” Commented Ashley.
The Rainmakers’ own Natalie Repole was named the All-Star player of the team during zones.