They say that good things come in small packages. In the last few weeks the saying around Golden should be that great athletes come from smaller places. Even though Golden and the surrounding area may not have the largest population in British Columbia this has not stopped them from having some great personal and team moments recently.
Golden Secondary School is one place where student athletes are shining. The senior girls volleyball team proved to be a team to be reckoned with at the provincial tournament. They may not have won a medal but they provided some of the best play at the tournament while also coming within two points of a semi-final berth. At the same time a rising star on the volleyball scene, Shea Archibald-Lacasse, played her way to an all-star selection which says a great deal for the ability of her and her teammates.
Then there is the story which I have only heard this morning about a shot that had the crowd going wild during a junior boys basketball tournament in Vernon.
After playing strong in multiple games in Golden the team “was down by two points with just 2.8 seconds remaining, when a Golden player made an absolutely incredible one-arm shot from half court, on the run and off-balance, for a 3-pointer to win against South Kamloops by one point on Saturday.” (description provided by a reporter at the tournament)
Meanwhile the senior boys basketball team showed heart of a different kind when they lost two of their top players in their first tournament of the season. The team fought on and even though the wins may have been hard to find they played hard while staying positive and had fun on the court.
If we are talking local sports in winter then I also have to go to the ice. I recently attended a couple of special figure skating events which saw good crowds out to watch both long time and new skaters. The skaters showed their skills and for some of them just coming out on the ice and waving to their family was a giant step.
Recently the players of the Golden Minor Hockey Association have seen success on the ice.
The newly formed midget hockey team won their first tournament while other divisions have been providing great entertainment at the rink.
The Golden Rockets who may come from many different places have also been making moves and playing hard to get into another playoff run this year. The team has been competitive all year long with some of the players who grew up in the area having great seasons.
All of this is aided by the support of people in the community. Athletics like any team or group activity takes a lot of work from volunteers, families, friends and businesses.
None of the teams in town could continue on if people were not willing to come out and watch, coach, teach or provide some other form of support.
This community and the surrounding areas has proven time and again that it is willing to step up to the plate and help local athletes have the chance to compete at the highest level. So for the heart and determination shown by the athletes we should be proud of what they have accomplished.
To those who support their hopes and dreams, a job well done.
Do not forget to bring a new teddy bear to the rink (Teddy Bear Toss Night) at the Golden Rockets game on Decemeber 20.
