Action underway at high school basketball tournament

When the announcement was made by the provincial government in early February that school sports tournaments could resume with 50 per cent capacity, there was excitement from all the coaches, and players.

And that buzz was clear for all to see and hear on day one of the four-day event at Kelowna Christian School (KCS) Wednesday.

KCS is hosting this year’s Provincial 1A Girls Basketball Championships. Sixteen teams from around the province are involved, including Vernon Christian, Immaculata and Kings Christian-Salmon Arm School.

Prior to their first game of the tournament, KCS senior player Shekinah Nessman told Kelowna10 everyone is thrilled to be back in action.

“We weren’t expecting to have a season to be quite honest and so we’re really hyped that we can have so many people come out,” she said. “Having this tournament here it’s really exciting because we get to play as a team in front of our school and show the province how we play.”

Nessman, who’s been playing for the team the last four years, said it would have been disappointing to end the season without this.

“It would have been hard honestly because our team hasn’t been able to do that last year and this year since we’re graduating,” she said. “It would suck to end on the note of not being able to play at our own school or have the chance to end the season playing another team.”

Kelsey Overby, who is also playing her final games of high school basketball, is relishing the moment.

“It’s a sad thing but I’m also happy because I got to see the progress of our team from four years ago to now,” she said. “I was the baby, the rookie, and growing my development through basketball has been a good thing to see.”

She said the team is confident they can perform well over the four days.

“We just need to stay hyped, stay positive and have a good mindset going into everything,” Overby said. “It is our last week for our whole basketball career so I’m really excited.”

This tournament is the only basketball provincials to be hosted outside the Langley Event Centre in the Lower Mainland and is expected to welcome over 200 fans.

The last time KCS played in a provincial tournament was in 2020 and they took home 3rd place.

Head Coach at Kelowna Christian, Mike Campbell said this year’s tournament features lots of good teams and progressing through it will not be easy with many teams in with a shout of clinching the title.

“We believe the top eight, nine, ten teams are quite strong,” he said. “We hope to get back to that semifinal game and have another crack at making it to the provincial final.”

That final is scheduled for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.

Campbell said he’s thrilled for everyone in the basketball community after not having the event last year.

“We felt terrible for our graduates across the province last year that they didn’t get that experience, that road trip, that tournament, those medals, banners, that competition,” he said. “It’s more than just for kids, it’s for parents too, being in the gym cheering your kids on, getting to know the referees, and other coaches.”

KCS won their opening game 85-28 against King David High School Wednesday lunchtime.

A full schedule of the games can be found online.