For members of EMCS’ senior boys basketball team, getting enough playing time is not an issue.
Trevor Bligh’s Wolverines are currently tied with Vic High for third place in the South Island 3A League at 2-3.
Just five games into season, EMCS’ record might not sound that unique. Consider, though, that the Wolverines have played through most of the season with a short bench.
“It’s given some guys a chance to be bigger role players and get more playing time. That part been great,” said EMCS’ long-time head coach Trevor Bligh.
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The parade to the sick bay began before the season started when a player was cut after he suffered a concussion. A few games in, point-guard sustained an ankle injury followed by injuries to Ike Batten and Antonio Cepeda.
The situation was worse at the Wolverines post-Christmas tournament at EMCS when Bligh’s bench was reduced to six players. (Bligh also missed a few games with the stomach flu).
The squad returned from the Christmas break on Tuesday, losing 73-47 to league-leading Reynolds secondary.
Bligh is hoping to have a near-full bench next week when the Wolverines tip-off against last place Stelly’s Hornets.
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There’s also hope, too, as the Wolverines head into the second half of the season. The local squad still aspires to catch Reynolds, and remains the only team to beat Esquimalt this year.
The Wolverines will need to win games on other’s team home court to secure the No. 1 or No. 2 spot, with the hoping of earning a berth into the Island finals in February.
“The Esquimalt game showed the potential of these guys. They can beat the best team in the league by nine points or they can lose to the second best team by 21 it’s just what effort you’re going to put out,” Bligh said.
BASELINES: The Wolverines head to Port Alberni this weekend for the Alberni Totem Invitational … Wade Fitzner leads the league in scoring with 61 points, followed by Nick Card with 43 … The Wolverines next home game is Tuesday when they play Stelly’s on the road.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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