The Whistler Storm senior boys basketball team has bounced its way into the provincial championships after beating St. Thomas Aquinas 78-73 and Pemberton Secondary 73-70 at a tournament in West Vancouver.
"St. Thomas Aquinas was a good team that made it into the provincials last year in the Double ‘A’, and we certainly weren’t expecting to beat them," says coach Kevin Titus, who has two sons on the team. "But the boys played really well and beat them. Pemberton also gave us a really good game."
Whistler will compete against 15 other teams for the Single ‘A’ title, which is for schools that have fewer than 75 boys in Grades 11 and 12. Although the senior girls team made it to the provincials three seasons ago, this is the first trip for the men.
"These guys have been together for the last three or four years and they’re excited that they could make it together," says Titus.
Storm will be bringing nine out of 11 players, with Trevor O’Reilly away for the quarter and Josh Adelberg injured.
At the forefront of their attack is forward Tyson Duck, who has been averaging between 20 and 25 points per game all season. Duck is backed up in the front court by centre Doug Widdeff, and forward Ryan Ward. Morgan Titus in the Storm’s point guard, and Tristan Tanguay, Joren Titus, T.J. Grabowiecki, Dylan Hanson, and Jeff Waters share the guard positions.
Titus also credits Community Coach Ken McIntyre for volunteering his time and helping the team to make the championships.
The team will spend the week practising and raising money to cover food, transportation and accommodation for the three-day tournament in Castlegar, March 7 to 10.
