This week the G.P. Vanier Towhees senior boys basketball team is hosting their first home games of the season, and where better than at the 43rd annual Towhee Invitational Tournament, featuring 12 talented high school boys basketball teams.
Starting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, the Vanier junior boys are hosting a league game to begin the proceedings. The tournament starts at 3 p.m. with New Westminster playing Ballenas from Parksville. "New West boasts two outstanding scoring guards with plenty of Hyack tradition dating back to the 1940s. Ballenas is a very athletic team, and this game might be a tight one," said Vanier senior boys coach Larry Street.
The second game starts at 4:40 p.m. with local squad Highland Raiders led by Noah Lewis taking on Seaquam from Delta. "Seaquam is a perennial tough team playing in a very competitive league in Delta. Highland is a sleeper team with some good talent, and will be in an upset mode," Street said.
Game three features Wellington from Nanaimo, a very tough double A program coached by the inspiring Glenn Johnson. They will be playing Carson Graham from North Vancouver who is coached by former Towhee Mike Morgan (1992) who has also coached provincial teams, Malaspina, and has played in South America. Carson is a big school with lots of athletes. Game time is 6:20 p.m.
Thursday's feature game showcases the G.P. Vanier Towhees, who will be playing their first home game of the season against darkhorse Stelly's from Victoria at 8 p.m. "The Towhees have been steadily improving and always find the Towhee Tournament a turning point in their competitive season," Street said "Watch for seniors Mark McGinnis and Dillon Robson to lead their team to hoped-for victory."
On Friday night, four more teams venture into the Valley to take on the four winners of Thursday's games. Victoria's Spectrum will play the winner of Game 1 at 1 p.m.; Point Grey of Vancouver (last year's runner-up and one of Vancouver's top teams this year) takes on the winner of Game 2 at 2:45 p.m.; defending champion King George of Vancouver will play the winner of game 3 at 4:30 p.m.; and Kwalikum will play the winner of Game 4 at 6:15 p.m.
"Come on out and enjoy some fine high school boys basketball at a traditionally entertaining tournament," Street said. "Tournament passes (which are also discount cards for local businesses) are at the door or at the school office for only $10. Support your local teams."
FREE THROWS The Towhees finished fifth at the Claremont Spartans Invitation on the weekend; check out details online at www.comoxvalleyrecord.com under 'sports.' ...
– Vanier Towhees basketball