The Charles Hays Secondary School Rainmakers senior girls basketball team traveled to Prince George this week to kick-off the 2013/2014 season and came out strong with a second place finish in the Kelly Road Secondary School Tournament.
The girls started the tournament against Correlieu Secondary School of Quesnel, easily earning the 69-16 victory.
"During the first game we were able to give everyone time on the court, so that was a good team-building game," said head coach Sara Aguirre.
In the second game, the girls tipped off against College Heights Secondary of Prince George in a close, hard-fought game that came down to the wire. When the final buzzer sounded, the Rainmakers enjoyed a four point, 51-47 victory. Tanveen Randhawa led the scoring with 11 points.
With the win the Rainmakers earned a spot in the tournament finals against Cedars Christian School of Prince George. Unfortunately the girls were on the wrong side of an 84-74 final, with Celina Guadagni netting 46 points for the team.
Aguirre said she was impressed with how the team played throughout the tournament.
"They came out really strong and played tough the whole time ... they just fought for it the whole tournament. It was good to see," she said, adding a new course in the school is having an impact.
"A number of the players are in the basketball course this year and you can tell. They're moving the ball really well and they're not being pushed off the ball during the game."
The Rainmakers will play their home-opener this weekend in a play day that will include Caledonia of Terrace and possibly Smithers.
"We're really optimistic about the season. Caledonia is now AAA, so we only have to play Smithers for the zones title," Aguirre said.
"If things go well, it's going to be a great year."
After this weekend's games, the Rainmakers will be inviting former players back for the Annual Alumni Game on Dec. 19 at seven p.m.