The Grade 8 boys at Prince Rupert Middle School dominated the competition as they’re prone to do, enroute to winning the zone championship in Smithers on Feb. 11.
The tournament saw teams from Smithers, Terrace, Houston and Kitimat battle for the title. The PRMS Storm was ranked number one going into the weekend, so they had a bye through the first round.
As a result, the team only had to play two games. They beat Houston by 50 points, then handled Smithers in the final, winning by 35.
It is the ninth straight zone title for the Storm, which last lost the title to Terrace in 2008. That speaks to the strength of the Rainmaker program, said coach Cary Dalton.
“The Rainmaker program has been the dominant program in the north and the Grade 8s have been very dominant out of the middle school since it was formed,” he said.
Aiden Leighton was named the MVP of the tournament, and Dylan Moody-Moraes an All-Star. Riley Watt and Cole Jones won the three-point shooting contest.
The Storm concluded their season with another successful year.
“The talent level this year was very high. This was a very good team,” Dalton said.