For the first time in almost a decade the Centennial Christian School Seahawks Sr. Boys ‘A’ volleyball team has captured the title of Northwest Zone Champions.
The team beat Ebenezer Christian School in the finals of a tight zone tournament, held here at the Thornhill Jr. Secondary School gym two weekends ago. The last time the team took the first place spot in the zone was in 2004.
“It was a tremendous experience,” said coach Joel Ringma. “Quite an emotional roller coaster in some ways.”
Between the five teams in the zone, competition was tight, he said. And in the semi-final game against Bulkley Valley Christian School, Grade 9 Evan Veldman dislocated his thumb.
“That obviously hurt us and we ended up losing that game,” he said.
But Grade 12 Ryan Roseboom – better known for hockey – filled in for Veldman, leading to a win in the next game and in the final.
“He did a stand up job and was able to help us go over the top,” said Ringma. “We were thankful to have him.”
They’re heading to provincials at Duncan Christian School this week – for the third year in a row, and the fourth time as a school – the northwest zone sends the top three teams to provincials, so Ebenezer and Houston Christian will also be on the court.
“Even the fourth place team Bulkley Valley was a really strong team as well,” said Ringma.
To prepare, the team played an exhibition game against the Caledonia Sr. Boys – who are also heading to their own ‘AAA’ provincials in Kelowna next week.
“Most of the guys that are going have some experience, so that’s good,” he said. “But really we’re just going through the same kind of practise routines, trying to ramp up the intensity.”
Games for the Seahawks start tomorrow, Nov. 21, and run through the weekend.
