The EMCS Jr. boys finished their season on a loss in the recent semi-finals of the city championships. The boys had a great season filled with improvement, growth and a bit of success, finishing fifth out of 16 teams in the city. The guys became comfortable and confident with their offence as shown by a season-high 65 point league game. With the foundation these guys have built the future is extremely bright for Sooke basketball.
Team play was an emphasis all season long as the team runs 11 deep with all players seeing court time. The season was highlighted with a second place finish in the Dunsmuir tournament, as well as a fifth place in the city’s.
Team members are grade-10s Ryan Ehman, Eric Albert, Dustin Clark, Chris Shankar, Tristen Griffin, and Brad Smith... as well as grade-9s Quinn Yates, Jordan Stoehr, Austin and Brandon Willson, and Sean Mckenzie.
Quinn, Dustin, and Chris all played up at the senior level this year making it possible to fill a roster at the older level.
A quick tribute at this time to Courtney Willson who has just completed two years with the senior boys program. Courtney brings to an end four years with both the basketball and football programs at EMCS. The 6’4” Willson played centre for the basketball team and spent time as kicker as well as tight end for the football Wolverines. Basketball coach Trevor Bligh says Courtney has come a long way from when they met three years ago.
“Some of the physical stuff he stumbled with early on, was routine by his senior season,” said Bligh. “This coach appreciates Courtney’s participation and effort as I am sure (football) coach Mortensen did as well.” Special thanks to all parents, the administration at EMCS, Larry and Diane Alexander and assisstant coaches Ryan Spence and Cody Yates.
Basketball will reconvene in April for the grade-10s and 11s as they will be forming a club team for spring play. Sooke will host a club tournament in May under the Trevor Purdy banner.
Once again the Nyborg School of Basketball from Denmark as well as club teams from Colwood, Victoria and Vancouver will be welcomed.
– Trevor Bligh