With one exception, all the provincial high school basketball championships in B.C. are held at the Langley Events Centre.
That one exception is the single-A girls tournament, which for the second year in a row will be held at Duncan Christian School, running next Wednesday to Saturday.
“We had a great time doing it last year,” DCS athletic director Tom Veenstra said. “We’re looking forward to doing it again this year.”
The host Chargers finished 13th last year and were presented with the Barry Dearing Fair Play Award for the most sportsmanlike team, as determined by the officials. The team is excited to see how this year’s tournament plays out.
“Provincials is an incredibly exciting way to end a basketball season,” Chargers head coach Michelle Nederlof. “Players and coaches have put in time and effort into players, not just this season, but in preparation, sometimes years before, readying them for this moment in time.
“Hosting the tournament gives our team the chance to show the basketball community that what we learn on the court goes well beyond. We’re looking forward to the games as well as the opening ceremonies and the banquet, it’s a big deal.”
Immediately following the opening ceremonies on Wednesday at 1 p.m., The Chargers will play their first game of the tournament at 2:30 p.m. against top-seeded Mulgrave.
The Chargers are seeded 16th after placing third at Islands, which they also hosted, and they hope to improve on that spot.
“Unfortunately, we’re not going in with a high ranking, but that just gives us the opportunity to finish higher than we started,” said Nederlof, who is assisted in her coaching duties by Tammy Klassen and Rachael Bakker. “Our goal is to stay focused, in control of the game. When we do that, we perform well. When we let the other team determine our actions, we can let it slip away at times.”
This year’s provincial tournament will be especially important for Grade 12s Holly Bruce, Danielle Groenendijk and Breanna Wikkerink as they bid farewell to the DCS program. Like those girls, the rest of the team is committed to a strong showing on the home court.
“A player’s dedication to the sport and to the team is really evident on the court and when our girls put their heart into the game, it is extremely rewarding,” Nederlof said. “I’m proud to coach these young ladies.”
Games will be played from Wednesday to Saturday at DCS and Chemainus Secondary. The tournament final is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday in the DCS gym.