This years Grade Eight Boys Rebel basketball team competed hard all season for the right to represent their school at the Championships in Oliver last weekend. And they did more than just represent with their tenacious effort on the court. They earned some serious respect from referees, coaches and organizers from all over the valley.
Despite a one win, two loss record in the tournament the boys impressed everybody from the opening minute of game one, right through the final whistle of their third and final game, a lot of the reason being their effort and attitude.
Game one was against Keremeos, the number one seed in the tournament. What a great time for Corey Thompson to have the offensive game of his young career. 16 points and a ton of offensive rebounds. After three quarters the Rebels were winning by four and the gymnasium was buzzing with the sounds of an upset. But the league champs came through in the end, as the Rebels ended the game on the wrong side of a 42-36 score.
Thompson was named game Most Valuable Player (MVP). Of note Eric Ogrinc was a force on defense and Chase Rempel played solid at both ends of the court.
Early Sunday morning the Rebels matched up with KVR, the fourth seed in the tournament. Again the boys took an early lead, and looked good right up to half time. But foul trouble cost them dearly and by the end of the game KVR had pulled away, winning 42-34. Mike White had 16 points in the game, including 4 3-pointers and was awarded the Game MVP. Eric Holland was great on the boards, chipping in with a great basket and Kyle Baird was very strong at both ends of the court.
The final opponent was Holy Cross, and the team vowed to end the season on a winning note, a few actually guaranteeing a win to family and friends! And from the opening whistle there was no denying the Rebels would again hold a half-time lead. All the boys played great, and whenever things looked to stall or Holy Cross seemed to be mounting an attack, a different Rebel got in the action and kept the heat up. Zane Gibson had a great game, scoring a pretty three point play in the second quarter, and Klayton Kent was strong throughout the game, getting a steal and a couple rebounds when it really counted. But nobody outshone Theo Goesen, who led the team all weekend in rebounding, and in this game also shone on the scoreboard! Theo was named MVP for the final game of the year.
In the end the Rebels placed sixth overall. A great achievement for the young group. Blair Hadrell, the league commissioner presented Mike White with a Season All Star Award and commended the entire team for their growth and effort.
The Rebels had a great season, a lot of fun travelling and competing in four different tournaments, and would like to thank their parents for their support. They would also like to thank their drivers, and everyone that helped and supported them this season.