Hornets co-captain Gurshan Dhaliwal hopes to inspire the team at the provincials next week. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
The Hornets senior boys basketball team cruised to an easy victory at the AA Valley Championships last weekend, but the true test will come next week as they take a shot at the provincial title.
The Hornets were expected to win the valleys, and they did handily by defeating Sa-Hali Secondary School (from Kamloops) 90-49 in the championship game.
Before that, they trounced Summerland 77-34 in the semi-finals, and in their first game thoroughly walloped Seaton school 106-60.
Maurizio Basso, head coach of senior boys basketball at SOSS, said the Hornets didn’t make the valley finals last year.
“One would hope that the provincial selection committee can see just how tough this team has become,” Basso said.
The Hornets have finished the season with nine straight wins and an overall record of 24-8 heading into the provincials in Langley.
The Hornets truly shined during the valley championships.
The final game started out slowly for both teams, with Sa-Hali missing a key starter.
Basso said it looked like the Hornets would walk away with the championship early as they built a 16-8 lead in the first quarter.
Basso noted that a lethargic effort in the second quarter gave a depleted Sa-Hali team some life as they were able to tie the game 39-39 going into the half.
“There must have been some half-time magic as the coaches (Greet Gill, Jaspreet Gill, Sunny Buttar and Kevin Chase) were able to spark the Hornets into a higher gear,” Basso said.
This was also due to a key substitution of Justin Dhillon into the starting lineup for the second half. Dhillon, a Grade 10 player, came out with spirit and fire as he caused three turnovers, made two baskets and stole the ball two more times, leading to Manjot Dhaliwal converting those steals into six more points.
The Hornets never looked back as they got excellent play from Manjot Dhaliwal who was solid all weekend long, earning a first All-Star award.
The steady leadership from Gurshan Dhaliwal earned him tournament MVP for his excellent play. And Manveer Brar, who led the team to victory with 21 points, was also named first All-Star. Basso said Brar proved just how effective he can be on both ends of the court when he puts his mind to it.
Hornets manager Pravin Dhaliwal agreed, saying Brar had a great game from the field. In fact, he made 60 per cent of shots attempted as well as 100 per cent of three-pointers attempted. He also shot well from the line, making 75 per cent of free throws attempted.
Pravin also recognized several other players for their efforts.
Harmeet Brar made it into double digits, scoring 10 points for Oliver (five for five). Justin Dhillon scored nine points, had one rebound and two steals). Jag Sandhu also chipped in (four points and four rebounds), Kulbir Grewal (three points, three rebounds and one block), Shawn Sandhu (three points and five rebounds), Shan Gill (two points and one rebound), and Jamie Fortune (two points, five rebounds and one steal).
Pravin was impressed with the Hornets’ efforts against Summerland in the semi-finals. At the end of the half, Oliver was leading 37-7 and never looked back.
“SOSS solidified their lead with a late-game surge, scoring a game-high 26 points in the final quarter,” Pravin noted.
Besides Manjot and Gurshan working their usual magic, Justin, Manveer, Shan Gill, and Harmeet were also strong.
Pravin said Oliver finished the game with 43 rebounds (nine offensive and 34 defensive), one block and 14 steals.
Heading into the provincials, Hornets co-captain Gurshan Dhaliwal said he feels very confident in the team and its coaches, and believes that everyone will come together and go as far as they can.
“The valleys showed how dominant we can be when we play as a team and leave individual play alone.”
Co-captain Kulbir Grewal also expressed his confidence.
“We’ve seen most of the competition and have put in the time and effort to be a top contender for the championship.”
Grewal said there is no true powerhouse team in the provincial tournament, so anything is possible.
“All it takes is one game, and if we play like I know we are capable of, we can win.”
Both captains added that the Hornets can become provincial champions because that has always been their goal since Grade 8.
Basso said the team is on a 10-game winning streak and has as good a chance as any team at the provincials.
“They are playing very inspired team ball. If they come out with focus and determination like they did for most of this past weekend they can be a real contender.”
Basso said the only thing he sees that needs improvement is playing right from the opening tip-off, and maybe utilizing their post play a little more.
“The old saying in basketball is you live and die by the three-point line. I think if they add the post into their three-point offense they will be that much harder to check.”
Basso said there are a lot of good teams at the tournament – Collingwood, GW Graham and Lambrick Park are the big three.
He noted the Hornets held their own against Collingwood for three quarters at the Okana-Qen tournament, and they have beaten St. Thomas Aquinas which is currently ranked #5.
“Like I said the Hornets are heading into the provincials on a high note, and with two coaches who have won a title and know what it takes as a player to win, they do have a chance.”
By Lyonel Doherty
