When Darren Reisig wakes up in Nanaimo for the B.C. Summer Games on Friday morning, he’ll have a lot of commitments to meet.
First he’ll be an official helper to his daughter, Sierra, and her U14 basketball team, who are already Vancouver Island-Central Coast champions.
The tight-knit girls first face Cariboo – North East and Fraser Vally B before aiming for the provincial championship game on Sunday.
“With Sierra and the girls, we’ve got height, we’ve got ball handling and most importantly, we’ve got girls who are willing to work hard,” Reisig says.
“My daughter gets treated the same as any other player,but I’m fortunate where she’s a hard worker.”
In between basketball games, Reisig will pop over to cheer on many of his Claremont secondary lacrosse students who have benefitted from Reisig’s steady hand as athletic director at the school.
Reisig isn’t able to sign up in more than one role at the B.C. Games, which must have been a difficult decision for a coach involved in soccer, basketball, lacrosse and even golf on occasion.
But the minor role means he can sit back a little and enjoy being a supporter, while University of Victoria Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp and wife Tara take the helm with Sierra and the girls.
“It’s amazing having Craig Beaucamp as a coach. Sierra’s really enjoyed it,” Reisig says.
The girls were tempted to split up earlier this year when Basketball B.C.’s development camp recruiters came knocking for the provincial team.
But in the end, they chose to head to the B.C. Summer Games united.
“We knew some of us would probably make the provincial team, but we’re glad we stuck together,” says Sierra, a Gordon Head middle school grad.
“We’re going to work hard and hopefully make the finals on Sunday.”
Middle school players from Gordon Head, Lansdowne, Pacific Christian Academy, Central, Dunsmuir, Glanford, Bayside and Monterey join Sierra on the court to represent Vancouver Island-Central Coast throughout the weekend in Nanaimo.
For detailed schedules and results, see bcgames.org.
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