The Vanier Towhees senior boys basketball team starts its season Monday, Nov. 27 in Nanaimo, and will work its way through a long, enduring and fulfilling season.
This year’s edition will be an enjoyable group to watch, says coach Larry Street.
“We have good size, plenty of athletic players, and great returning experience since we have seven returning players from last season,” Street said.
“Another exciting change for us is that we are now in the 3A division of high school boys basketball after being in 4A for the past eight years. This is where we think we belong, and it gives our boys a better chance of doing well, and possibly going to the provincials come March.”
Making this task difficult would be the teams in the North Island league. Well-coached Mark Isfeld is always a contender for the Islands. Carihi in Campbell River consists mostly of Grade 12s, all of whom were key players who went to the Grade 10 provincials two years ago. As well, Wellington of Nanaimo was a top 10 nominee for the upcoming year, and is also a well-coached team. Rounding out the league is John Barsby in Nanaimo (another experienced coach, Rick Hart), Ballenas in Parksville and Port Alberni.
Vanier’s key players for the season are 6’9” post Levi Timmermans, 6’3” power forward Riley Meyerhoff, 6’4” forward Aidan Bernard, 6’2” guard Kyle Piercy, and quick guards Bentley Barth and Dawson Kipp. All returning Grade 12s will be starters or the sixth man.
“Add to this returning steady Grade 11 Graeme Trask and we have loads of experience,” Street said.
Grade 11s Jordan Dennis (point guard), Ethan Lloyd (guard-forward), big man at 6’6” Sidney Woodrow and guard Lucky Nguyen will give the Towhees valuable minutes of help, as will newcomer Grade 12 Griffin Jamieson.
“This squad is athletic, aggressive, and very close … as close as family can be!” Street said.
Following a weekend tournament in Chilliwack, the first home game is an important league match-up with Carihi on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the G.P. Vanier gym. Start time is 7 p.m.
Come on out and support your Towhees. Great entertainment.