Some of the top high school hoops teams on Vancouver Island are getting ready to rock the rim at the 2014 Towhee Invitational.
The 12-team senior boys basketball tourney goes Jan. 16-18, and the host Towhees are one of those top teams.
Vanier is ranked #5 in the latest Island 4A poll. Defending tourney champion Mount Douglas (Victoria) is #6 in Island 4A and Belmont (Victoria) is #8.
Wellington (Nanaimo) is #2 in Island 3A where Timberline (Campbell River) is #9. St. Michael’s (Victoria) is #1 in Island 2A.
Other teams competing include Sentinel (West Vancouver), Eric Hamber (Vancouver), Chilliwack, New Westminster, Centennial (Coquitlam) and Handsworth (North Vancouver).
Games Thursday go at 3 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Friday, games go at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday’s games go at 9 a.m. (at Highland), 8:20 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Towhees have won the tourney nine times and finished runner-up 11 times (including last year).
Coach Larry Street, in his 18th year at Vanier, says this year’s team is a group of keeners.
“Our captains, Joss Biggins and Foster Dewitt are true leaders who have great sense about what it takes to go to another level,” Street notes in the Towhees’ program.
“The leader on the court though will be leader guard Colton Derycke, whose speed and gritty play will be infectious for the others. A relentless player who has a knack of breaking down his opponent. He will be looking for Joss and Foster, as well as Jakob Jungwirth, our designated three-point shooter.
“Rounding out the solid post position will be strong man Bryce Olsen, who has worked very hard at his game and will be one of the better Grade 11s in the province. These five are very aggressive, love to run, and all can score,” Street said.
“Add super subs Harry Li and Jordan Balon and we are solid deep into our roster. Senior Isaac Ng has really improved, and he will join Grade 11s Brandon Balon, Reece Meyeroff and Sean McGinnis, all Towhees who will have lots to offer with plenty of energy and good court intelligence.”
FREE THROWS The Towhees play their first North Island League game of the year Tuesday, Jan. 14 when they host Dover Bay in a 7 p.m. start … Maureen Olsen is the Towhees’ assistant coach … Jake Fernandes and Mac Kennedy are the team managers …
