Propelled by some of their graduating seniors, the Duncan Christian Chargers topped Ucluelet Secondary 88-72 last Saturday to take first place in the North Island single-A senior boys basketball championships.
Doug Groenendijk led the team with 28 points, while fellow Grade 12 Alan Park had 18 points as the Chargers played the last game this season in their own gym.
"It felt great to win this tournament, especially with our senior guys, Douglas, Chaz [Milne] and Alan playing their last home game of their high school careers," said DCS coach Jim Brandsma.
Nick Kapteyn, who will return next season, was right behind Groenendijk with 26 points in the tournament finale, and guard Jesse Van Wingerden chipped in with nine.
"We had great contributions by all the guys on the team," Brandsma said. "We set out at the beginning of the year to play as a team and I couldn't ask more. We have done that since day one and I think this has contributed to our success."
The Chargers jumped out to a 29-13 lead in the first quarter and were up 48-13 at halftime.
Campbell River Christian finished third, and Dwight International School topped Chemainus Secondary 57-44 in the battle for fourth and fifth.
Andy Lin scored 20 points for Dwight and Kobe Liu had 18. Sam Baker led Chemainus with 23 points, and Zach Diewert dropped in 13.
The Chargers are ranked first among single-A teams on the Island heading into the Island championships at Glenlyon Norfolk in Victoria, where DCS will have their sights set on a berth in provincials.