The Charles Hays Secondary (CHSS) junior boys’ basketball team will be attending the 2016 provincial championships on Feb. 25 after winning their zone over the weekend in Smithers.
The junior boys’ BC provincial championships are held at the Langley Events Centre and has grown to include the top 32 teams at the junior level representing every corner of B.C.
Rainmakers coach Kevin Sawka was extremely proud of his team’s performance over the weekend that propelled them to Langley.
“We feel honoured and privileged to be representing our school, the community of Prince Rupert, and the entire Northwest Region at the Provincial championships,” said Sawka.
The Rainmakers opened up the tourney beating Nisga’a 55-43, with Liam McChesney dropping 19 points.
Game two saw the ‘Makers blow out Terrace’s Caledonia 52-36 and Eric Lees recorded 16 points in the effort.
The final seemed a rematch of the first game, but the result was more lopsided as the Rainmakers beat Nisga’a 73-31. Liam McChesney went off for another 19 points to lead the way.
“This was a dominant performance by our team from start to finish on both sides of the basketball. Our boys were totally focused and on the same page with one another with our defensive strategies and gave no second chance points on the defensive end,” Sawka added.
“I was really proud of how our team came together over the weekend. It has been several games since we have had our entire team play a game together and all of our weapons able to play off of one another. We gelled more with each quarter and played better defence and with more passion with every game. This zone championship marks the 11th Northwest title for the Jr. boys basketball squad over the past 16 seasons.
“I would really like to thank the business community of Prince Rupert for their support with our fundraising efforts again this year. Their help in part allows us to pursue the goals we set for ourselves year after year. I can’t thank them enough for that,” continued Sawka.
In the senior girls’ basketball zones championship held in Terrace, the ’Makers dropped their first matchup against Caledonia 55-31 on Friday and later also lost to the same powerful CAL squad 47-27 in the final on Saturday.
Ruby Mason, Suttira Johansen and Brittany Waite were named zones all-stars when all was said and done.
The Prince Rupert Middle School (PRMS) Storm boys’ team as well as the girls’ team also won their zones championship over the weekend. The boys defeated Skeena in the final held at CHSS on Saturday.
The CHSS senior boys’ basketball team will play for zones on the road this weekend in Terrace.