The Grand Forks Secondary (GFSS) Junior Boys Basketball team is building great momentum as the season is winding to a close. Over the weekend, Grand Forks hosted some of the Okanagan’s top Junior Teams including Princess Margaret (Pentiction) And South Okanagan Secondary (Oliver), who GFSS would play in the opening game of the tournament.
GFSS competed with great grit and tenacity on defense, holding the game to a tie after one quarter and a 6 point point deficit at half. “ That was our best game of the year hands down,” Coach Sean O’Brien said. “Our identity right now is a loud scrambling defense that gives them different looks, and crashes the glass relentlessly. We executed perfectly.” Although the game got away from GFSS in the second half, finishing 40-22, GFSS showed sportsmanship, keeping their heads high and respecting their opponent. In the final game of Friday night, GFSS played rival SHSS (Castlegar), a team that defeated GFSS by 18 just three weeks earlier. GFSS responded to Castlegar’s aggressive press by breaking it with heads up plays. “Our guards played so intelligently. We forced nothing against their press and threw the ball long when we created gaps.” O’Brien continued, “That unselfishness create great shots for other guys. And when everyone is scoring, we grow as a team. Applauds to Keegan Kenyon on a game of a career so far. Not only did he score 6 points but he was the only guy to go to the line and knock down 2 consecutive free throws.” The Wolves won in thrilling fashion 36-34.
GFSS played Princess Margaret the next morning to determine who would advance to the finals. Although the Wolves were able to keep it close for the first quarter, PM pulled away for the 20 point victory. “We showed signs of fatigue on Saturday. Morning games are tough, legs aren’t limber. But we are thrilled as a team to have this opportunity. We recognize what it takes to become a team of that caliber. I’m just so proud of our sportsmanship, and the passion for basketball emerging in this group of Grade 9’s.” GFSS is off to Creston this weekend to compete against teams from the East Kootenays.
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