The KVR Express Grade 8 boys basketball team is off to a hot start with a 15-4 record (3-0 in league and 12-4 in tournaments) good for first. The Express earned a 45-23 win over Skaha Lake, a 51-32 victory versus Osoyoos and a 58-19 win against McNicoll Park.
It’s the first time in six years that the Express has been undefeated after three games.
The Express won the KVR Winter Classic, defeating Shuswap Middle, 40-34, and the Princeton Santa Slam, defeating both Princeton and Merritt by an average of 20 points.
“This team has the ability to play with any team in the Okanagan because when they play the higher level competition they bring their game up, especially on the defensive end, and as a group they have bought into playing a good team defensive game,” said coach Blair Haddrell. “Offensively we struggle at times, but the boys are trying to be very team oriented when they have the ball, which will help in the long run.”
The Express is led offensively by Easton Olsen and Donald Ross Millar, averaging 14 and 12 points, respectively.
“Easton is a beast on the offensive glass at six-foot-one with long arms and a big leap,” said Haddrell. “Millar is a load, when he goes to the hoop he is hard to stop and he has really bought into the team concept as it allows his skill level to come through.”
Defensively, the Express are led by Austin Afonso and Jacob Oh. Afonso averages about seven steals a game and Oh has such good defensive technique that he is hard to get around.
Following the Christmas break, the Express travels to Vernon for a competitive tournament then hosts one. They will also play in the Penticton Middle School Championship.
“This group has all the tools to be very successful,” said Haddrell. “They have the desire to be good and the work ethic to match.”
