The Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) junior boys basketball team hosted the 13th Annual Coastal Clash Tournament on Jan. 24-25, with the squad splitting into two teams to face off against five other high schools from around the region.
Both Charles Hays team 1, consisting of the whole team, and Charles Hays 2, made up of third string players, played three games apiece. Charles Hays 1 beat out Queen Charlotte Secondary School to become tournament champions with Charles Hays 2 losing against Caledonia Senior Secondary for a spot in the semi-final game.
"I am extremely proud of all my players this weekend. They showed a lot of growth, played a total team game and finished really well. Their intensity was really cranked up and their focus was the best I have seen from them all year. I'm really excited to see how much more they can improve over the next few weeks heading into the post season," junior boys basketball coach Kevin Sawka said.
In the final game Charles Hays 1 met up with Queen Charlotte Secondary School after destroying Smithers 91-6 in their first game, and beating out Coast Tsimshian Academy 42-35 in their second. Queen Charlotte had won their games against Charles Hays 2 71-39, against Caledonia 51-31 and against Hazelton 52-38.
Halfway through the last game Charles Hays 1 was up by 10 points and went on to more than double their lead by the end of the game. In the end, CHSS took possession of the Coastal Clash Grotto Cup after winning the final 65-31 over Queen Charlotte Secondary.
Charles Hays 2 weren't as lucky in their Coastal Clash run, losing their first game against Queen Charlotte Secondary School, falling 61-26 against Hazelton and losing 56-37 in their last game against Caledonia.
CHSS' George Mason was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, with teammates Dominic Irvine, Caledonia's Gabriel Johnson, Kaine Wesley from Coast Tsimshian Academy and Queen Charlotte Secondary School's Jaylund Russ being named to the Coastal Clash Tournament all-star team.
The team will next travel to Smithers for a playday, followed by the Northwest Zone Championships being held at Charles Hays Secondary School on Feb. 14-15.