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Rainmakers wait out storm in Vancouver

Prince Rupert basketball team mentally prepare for home opener at Charles Hays gym on Friday
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The Charles Hays senior boys basketball team has been stuck in Vancouver for 26 hours.

The team had just finished up a successful first tournament of the year, making it all the way to the final before ultimately finishing second.

The Rainmakers flight was originally supposed to depart for Terrace, Sunday, Dec. 9, morning, but now it looks as if they won’t be arriving until later tonight due to the storms in the area.

“Let’s just get our boys home safe and sound,” said Rick McChesney, parent of one of the team’s star players Liam McChesney.

The problem for the team was the expenses to cover the cost of the hotel rooms for the coaching staff and 14 players on the team.

READ MORE: Rainmakers basketball starts tournament strong

These funds came directly out of the team’s fundraising budget, much to the chagrin of the coaching staff.

“It just shows the disadvantages we have coming out of the north, Vancouver teams don’t have that kind of travel trouble, because we play in winter there are always fears of these kinds of delays,” said Ryan Bishop assistant coach of the Rainmakers.

Bishop and the team will hope to reset in time for the team’s home opener against Caledonia this Friday.

“In the past its been hard to get home games up here, this year people are going to get a better opportunity to follow our team, so yeah it would be nice to have community support, to come out and follow our team,” Bishop said.

All proceeds from the game go towards the teams fundraising account.

“Ticket sales go to the fundraiser, plus any events during the game, raffle, we fundraise pretty much all year,” Bishop said.

The game is this Friday, Dec. 14, at the Charles Hays Secondary School gym and tip-off will be at 7 p.m.

RELATED: Prince Rupert Rainmakers rout competition in Terrace



nick.laws@thenorthernview.com

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