The L.V. Rogers Grizzlies Boys Basketball team has achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the provincial AA championship. The team secured this opportunity by winning the AA Kootenay championship, finishing the season with an impressive 25-5 record.
Road to the Championship
The Grizzlies entered the Kootenay zone tournament as the top seed among seven teams last week. In the zone final, they faced Fernie and triumphed with a score of 81-69. Head coach Ryan MacKinnon described the match as a “thrilling final game.”
Outstanding Performance by Key Players
- Elijah Marcum-McCormick: 42 points in the final.
- Benjamin Stewart: Contributed 12 points.
Prior to the final, the Grizzlies competed against the J.L. Crowe Eagles from Trail in the semi-final. The team secured a convincing 77-46 victory; however, Coach MacKinnon noted that the match was much tougher than the score suggested. Marcum-McCormick was again a standout player, scoring 15 points, while Korban Ashley added 12 points.
Provincial Tournament Details
With this victory, the Grizzlies have qualified for the AA senior boys provincial tournament, scheduled to be held in Langley from March 4 to March 7. Seven of the ten players on the team are set to graduate, marking this championship as the final high school basketball opportunity for them.
Graduating Seniors
- Forest Bokser-Wishlow
- Chase Lake
- Gabe Liddell
- Benjamin Stewart
- Roman Van’t Land
- Korban Ashley
- Jack Boyes
The Grizzlies aim to make a significant impact at the provincial level as they head into this pivotal tournament. Their remarkable journey reflects the hard work and dedication of both the players and coaching staff, setting the stage for an exciting competition in March.
