This past weekend Centrecourt hosted its sixth annual summer run, HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN and it was an event of many firsts.  After five years of calling Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary home, the tournament moved on up like George and Weezy to the penthouse that is the Langley Events Centre.  Running twenty four games over the course of two days on two courts, HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN welcomed ten teams and a combination of over three hundred people through the doors during the hot August weekend.

With an eclectic mix of fresh faced rookies and cagey veterans, the tournament featured such notable names as Brent Malish and Kamar Burke (Birds), Roopi Clair (NWO), Jacob Doerksen (The School), Joey Haywood and Nick Toews (Runnin’ Rebels), Gurj Jhaj and Aman Heran (Athelite), Richard Anderson and Matt Rachar (Assault) and Kyle Grewal (Herbalex).  While many of those names have been around the summer circuit for a few years, one player that stepped into the spotlight in a huge way and will most certainly use his play during the tournament was The School’s Tonner Jackson.  The 6’7” hybrid from Trinity Western University teamed up with the tournament’s MVP Jacob Doerksen to help lead The School back to the winners circle after a one year hiatus.  Rewinding back to 2004 and the run that Doerksen had in his first year of the HOOPFEST tournament mirrored that of the weekend Jackson put together as both players gave little appearance of being out of place against a number of older and more experienced players.  Filling the stat sheet with thirty points a game in their semi final meeting with Athelite and the championship game, Jackson gave his running mate a battle for the MVP crown.

Sunday afternoon’s semi finals featured the top four teams in the tournament, with one court hosting The Birds (4-0) against the Runnin’ Rebels (3-1) while The School (4-0) squared off against Athelite (2-2).  Holding a 57-39 halftime lead, the Rebels knew better than to look ahead to the championship game, as The Birds launched themselves back into the game with a 12-0 run early in the second half.  Hitting for 20 of his team high 29 points in the second half, Haywood put the Rebels into a position to claim their second straight championship.  The other semi final broke down to a two on two battle between Athelite and The School as Jackson and Doerksen teamed up against the backcourt duo of Heran and Jhaj.  Hitting for 66 of the team total 91 points, Heran and Jhaj needed a bit more help from the other members of the Athelite squad to advance them to the title game, falling short by nine points in the end.  Jackson and Doerksen combined for a total 59 of the 100 School points.

After five gruelling games, HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN capped off with the only two teams ever to claim a championship as The School and Runnin’ Rebels took to the floor for their sixth game in forty eight hours.  Not only looking to silence the critics who place an asterisk next to their 2009 chip, the Rebels were seeking to gain redemption for a four point loss in the round robin schedule, a game which itself could have been title worthy.  Opening with a 17-6 lead, the Rebels looked to set the tone against their opponents from the Fraser Valley, knowing full well that at some point the deficit would be cut.  Little by little the double digit advantage was chipped away, slowly turning into a four point lead favouring The School, 44-40.  At that point it was like the Rebels whole weekend came to a crashing halt, as a lid was put on their basket, defensive assignments were missed and their pilot (Haywood) fell into severe foul trouble with four in the first half leading to a game changing 18-0 run that put all but one nail in the coffin for the Rebels.  Down twenty two points at halftime, the Rebels made one final comeback attempt, closing to within eleven points, but The School already had their sights set on the title as Doerksen and Jackson dropped thirty points apiece to pace The School’s scoring on route to a 116-91 title clenching victory, their fifth in six years.

HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN AWARDS

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ($350 Keg Gift Certificate & Ten Vancouver Giants Game Passes) – The School

HOOPFEST MVP ($125 Morgan Creek Keg Gift Certificate, “B-on-the-Ball” Souvenir Basketball, Bitmoreimage Canvas Print, Baden Elite Basketball, Baden Game Binder) – Jacob Doerksen (The School)

HOOPFEST ALL-STARS ($25 Morgan Creek Keg Gift Certificate, $10 Blockbuster Gift Certificate, Baden Elite Basketball, Baden Game Binder) – Tonner Jackson (The School). Joey Haywood and Nick Toews (Runnin’ Rebels), Brent Malish (Birds), Aman Heran (Athelite)

HOOPFEST Honorable Mention All-Star (Fitness World VIP Pass) – Kyle Grewal (Herbalex)

Player of the Game Awards (McDonalds Meal Certificate)

Team Packages provided by Langley Jugo Juice and UBC Thunderbirds

HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN PARTICIPATING TEAMS:  The School, Runnin’ Rebels, Birds, Athelite, Herbalex, Assault, Vancouver United, NWO, Bearcats, Monstars

Capturing their first KOC title last year, the Riders returned looking to claim the tag of “back to back champions”, and they did so with a convincing 44-36 victory over the surprising 72nd St. Shooters.  After knocking off the top seeded BU team in the semi finals, the kids from 72nd St. fell behind early and although they managed to make the score respectable in the end, the Riders squad was just too strong and focused on defending their title.

While the Novi Sad junior team may have fell short to the BU juniors, the meeting between the senior teams flipped the script 54-49 in an exhilarating overtime classic.  Tied at forty-five after regulation, BU struggled to finish on the offensive end, with Novi Sad outscoring them 9-4 in the three minute overtime period.

The Jr. Consolation game pitted Novi Sad against the young inexperienced Basketball U squad, who although they had gone winless to this point, had made positive steps throughout the season.  Bursting out of the gate with a quick 12-0 lead, Basketball U continued to hold court for the duration, capturing their first victory of the season for a very well played 52-42 “W”.

CENTRECOURT proudly kicked off the 4th season of the KOC on May 6th with a couple of new faces and a slight makeover to the program. After three seasons in South Surrey, the league has taken to the road, hosted by Delview Secondary in North Delta on Thursday evenings, not the traditional double header Saturdays. With both the Junior and Senior Divisions welcoming a fresh set of hoopheads looking to improve their individual and team skills as we head into the summer season.

JUNIOR DIVISION RESULTS: The regular season was dominated by the Athelite team, who finished on top of the standings with an undefeated season, capped off by a convincing victory over Basketball U.  Heading into the final week, ND Reign and Novi Sad sat with identical 1-1 records and squared off in the last game of the schedule.  While the “W” gave the Reign the second overall seed, the two teams will once again face each other in the first round of the playoffs.  Basketball U, while posting a winless record this season, proved in their last game against Athelite that they can compete (as they closed the gap to within two points) and are primed to post an upset in their playoff matchup.

SENIOR DIVISION RESULTS: Basketball U may have overlooked their final regular season opponent, as the kids from 72nd Street gave the top seeded BU a run for their money.  Despite the close game, BU ran the schedule and are looking primed to return to the title round.  The Riders, who dropped their only game to BU have shown constant signs of improvement and hinted at picking up the full court “D” throughout the playoffs.  Novi Sad has fallen short of expectations this season, but if the team can come together as a unit, they may be able to sneak into the championship game.  Although they are sitting without a regular season victory, the 72nd St. Shooters have given all their opponents a battle and with although they are not favored to win their first round matchup, a victory would not be that much of a surprise.

2009-2010 WCBL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

FALCONS 87 vs. RUNNIN’ REBELS 74

On Wednesday evening, the Runnin’ Rebels managed to hold 7/8ths of the Falcons lineup to 32 points over the course of the forty minute WCBL Championship game.  The 1/8th that they didn’t contain dropped in a title game record 55 points, as Aman Heran led his squad to their third straight championship and fourth in five years.  Grabbing a fourteen point lead early in the first half, the Falcons managed to contain the Rebels offense with a strategic 3-2 zone, however once the Rebels started to break the defense the score was cut in half before the teams entered the break with the defending champs holding a 39-31 lead.

Closing the difference to within four at about the thirteen minute mark of the second half, the Rebels offensive consistency was similar to that of a Brett Farve retirement.  Just as quickly as they tightened the gap, the Falcons (read, Heran) pulled it back in their favor.  With the scoreclock hitting single digit minutes, the Rebels once again were but a point away from taking control of the game as Nick Lafleur hit back to back threes.  Four straight Falcon three pointers later the double digit lead was once again intact.  With less than two minutes left on the board, the Rebels were already mentally defeated as the Falcons snuffed out any chance for a desperation comeback attempt, holding on for the 87-74 victory. Heran’s record 55 points included twelve three pointers, while Pardeep Sunner and Dalbir Dosanjh were the only other Falcon members to hit for double digits with 12 and 11 respectively.  Lafleur led the Rebels offense with Mio Kovacevic and Steve Lee chipped in with 13 points apiece.  The Falcons victory puts them in company with the Meralomas as the only two teams to have their name etched in four WCBL titles, and along with the Nielsen Golgis as three-peat champions.

On behalf of all the participants of the 2009-10 season, a special thanks goes out to the game officials and the Southridge student scorekeepers for all their time and effort, to Delview Secondary for once again providing the home court for the WCBL, to the administrative and custodial staff at Delta School Board Facility Rentals and to the generous CENTRECOURT program sponsors for providing the Championship and Individual Awards.

AWARDS: (Individual awards are based upon nomination from league participants)

2009-2010 WCBL CHAMPIONS: Falcons ($400 Keg Gift Certificate)

2009-2010 WCBL MVP: Randy Nohr, Nielsen Golgis ($125 SportChek Gift Certificate, $50 Morgan Creek Keg Steakhouse Gift Certificate, Baden Official WCBL Game Ball, Nike Shorts and Shirt, K1X Sling Bag, Gatorade Water Bottle)

2009-2010 WCBL ALL-STARS: Andy Khaira, Falcons; Neb Aleksic, Runnin’ Rebels, Steve Lee, Runnin’ Rebels; Jason Leslie, Nielsen Golgis; Hunter Jordan, Nevermore ($25 Morgan Creek Keg Steakhouse Gift Certificate, $25 SportChek Gift Certificate, $25 Cineplex Gift Certificate, Baden Official WCBL Game Ball, Nike Shorts and Shirt, K1X Sling Bag, Gatorade Water Bottle)

2009-2010 WCBL MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Randip Singh, Assault (Baden Official WCBL Game Ball, K1X Sling Bag, Nike Shirt, Gatorade Water Bottle)

2009-2010 WCBL LEADING SCORER: Randy Nohr, Nielsen Golgis 33.0 ppg ($25 Morgan Creek Keg Steakhouse Gift Certificate)

With three convincing victories over Nevermore in their back pockets, it was assumed that a fourth would come along on Sunday morning for the Runnin’ Rebels in first game of the WCBL Semi-Final weekend.  Trading baskets for the first three minutes, the Rebels showed early signs of rust after having a two week hiatus since their last game, whereas Nevermore appeared confident and well balanced in their attack.  Breaking the ten point deadlock with a 16-6 run, Nevermore created a ten point buffer for themselves and extended to a thirteen point halftime lead.  Frustration boiled over for the Rebels as the deficit mounted to as many as twenty-six points midway through the final twenty minutes.  After a poor start and a struggle for almost thirty minutes not only with their opponent, but with themselves, the Rebels managed to get on the same page and picked up the intensity with a full court press that baffled Nevermore.  With an incredible 32-10 run, the Rebels tied the game at 83 points, before closing the match out and completing an amazing comeback effort, 91-85.  With only five active members, all of which hitting for double digits, the Rebels return to the championship game for the first time since the 2000-01 season.  Steve Lee and Mio Kovacevic led the Rebels offense with 31 and 25 points respectively and combined for 19 rebounds.  Hunter Jordan and Jim Taylor finished off their impressive rookie season’s with 19 points apiece to go along with 14 points from both Dexter McKnight and Tom Selak.

Redemption.  That was the sole goal on the minds of many of the Nielsen Golgis in their Semi-Final meeting with the Falcons, a team that defeated the Golgis 106-102 in the 08/09 WCBL Championship Game.  Jumping out to a controlling 12-2 run to start the game, the Golgis were able to attack the Falcons in transition and from the free throw line, during a first half in which both teams were in desperate need for a secondary scoring source.  Highlighted by another battle between two of BC’s finest pg’s, the Golgis Randy Nohr and Aman Heran added another chapter to their epic battles.  With 24 first half points, Nohr led the Golgis to a slight 40-37 advantage at the break, while Heran countered with 13 points.  The script flipped in the second half as the Falcons used a 16-10 run to gain their first lead of the game 53-50 before the two teams see-sawed the scoreboard back and forth for the remainder of the second half.  Just as the Falcons chased the Golgis towards the end of the first, the Golgis found themselves down six with under two minutes on the clock.  A trio of free throws and a basket latter, the Golgis were able to close the game to within a single point before falling short 76-75.  Whereas Nohr was on fire in the first half, he cooled in the second hitting 14 of his team high 38 points, while Heran returned the first half favor with 25 second half points to match the 38 point effort.  Dalbir Dosanjh and Jason Leslie provided that required secondary scoring role with 16 points and 2 blocks for the Falcons forward and 11 points, 13 boards for the Golgis big man.

WCBL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

MARCH 17th 7:30pm – (2) Runnin’ Rebels vs. (5) Falcons

Regular Season:  Runnin’ Rebels 14-3, Falcons 8-9 (seeding based on defaults)

Head to Head:  Runnin’ Rebels 4-0

Preview – The semi-final games proved that the head to head regular season has very little impact on the result of a do or die playoff game as the Rebels needed a spectacular comeback and the Falcons upset the number one seed.  Both teams have the ability to work the ball inside, or hit from deep for a three ball, so it will come down to defense and a lot of what if’s.  The Rebels will need to keep their composure and consistency, while making sure that there is a hand up on the Falcons guards once they cross the halfcourt line.  On the other hand, the Falcons will need to control the boards and have someone step up to provide an inside scoring source to counter the Rebels inside attack.  After a long season, fatigue, injuries and mental errors have started to take their toll, but all will have to be put aside for forty more minutes on Wednesday evening as the Falcons look to “threepeat” (thanks Mr. Riley) and join the Golgis and Meralomas as four time champs, while the Rebels (Planet Fitness 98-01), who have been to the final three times, hope to stake their claim as the WCBL Champions.

With an overwhelming 104-66 whitewash of Assault last Sunday, Nevermore continued to chart their course into even deeper waters as they advance to the WCBL Semi-Finals.  After missing the previous two weeks of action with a wonky knee, Jim Taylor returned to the Nevermore lineup, dropping 21 points and grabbing 11 boards to help lead the green clad squad to an easy victory.  While the contest was relatively undecided throughout the first half, despite Nevermore holding a twelve point lead after the first twenty minutes, one figured that Assault had not packed their bags quite yet.  However, one would have been dead wrong, as Assault, regardless of the 34 point effort from Randip Singh, played as if the game was foreign to them, giving up a 30-10 run to start the second half.  Aided by a trio of three pointers, Hunter Jordan paced Nevermore with 23 points, while Nate Corneau was the only other member of Assault to hit double digits with 18.

WCBL FINAL FOUR

10am – (2) Runnin’ Rebels vs. (3) Nevermore

Regular Season:  Runnin’ Rebels 14-3, Nevermore 8-9

Head to Head:  Runnin’ Rebels 3-0

Preview – Although sweeping the regular season series, the Rebels will need to beware of a Nevermore squad that is riding a three game winning streak.  With two weeks off since their last game, the Rebels will have to avoid any rust and will have to quickly mesh together.  In order to knock off the Rebels, Nevermore will have to commit to stopping either the points in the paint or taking away the long range shots.  Lacking the size to compete inside, Nevermore will have to continue knocking down the “J” and slowing the Rebels transition game.  If one were looking for “x-factors” for this game, the guard matchup between the Rebels Nic Lafleur / Thomas Wan and Nevermore’s backcourt of Ryan Widas and Dexter McKnight will have a huge impact on who controls the flow of the game.  While Vegas bookies might have the Rebels leaving the gym with a victory, odds are Nevermore is prepared to make sure it won’t be a cake walk.

11:15 am – (1) Nielsen Golgis  vs. (5) Falcons

Regular Season:  Nielsen Golgis 16-1,  Falcons 8-9 (seeding based on defaults)

Head to Head:  Nielsen Golgis 4-0

Preview –  The Nielsen Goligs, aside from one minor setback, owned the WCBL standings this season, including a four game sweep of the Falcons.  While both teams have had a couple of weeks off to rest and recover, the Falcons are benefits of a major coup as guard Aman Heran, who has been out with a foot injury since Christmas is set to return.  The big question for the Falcons is how he will affect their chemistry after learning to play without him for two months.  While the obvious answer is that he will create more scoring opportunities for the Falcons big men, the question of being in game shape remains, especially against the high tempo Golgis offense.  After falling short to the Falcons in the WCBL championship last season, the Golgis would like nothing better than to use them as a stepping stone to the title game.  Look for the Nielsen Golgis to continue their dominance over the Falcons this season and return for another chance to add a fourth championship notch to their belts.

10am – (3) Nevermore vs. (6) Assault

Regular Season: Nevermore 8-9, Assault 2-15

Head to Head:  Nevermore 3-0

Preview – After years of purgatory in the WCBL basement, Nevermore has a strong opportunity to advance past the opening round of the WCBL playoffs for the first time in team history.  However, not everything is roses for the third seed as they lost their leading scorer Sean Holland to a foot injury, and may be without their second leading point producer Jim Taylor to a unstable knee.  Assault on the other hand has struggled in their inaugural season in so many different ways, that they might need to grab a couple of horse shoes, four leaf clovers and a rabbit’s foot to make something positive of their season.  Look for big games from Nevermore’s Dexter McKnight and Tom Selak, while Assault’s offense will no doubt come from the outside shooting of Randip Singh, Nate Corneau and Dwayne Harrison.  Look for Nevermore to capture the elusive playoff victory and move on to the second round.

11:15 am – (4) Wildcats  vs. (5) Falcons

Regular Season: Wildcats 3-14,  Falcons 8-9 (seeding based on defaults)

Head to Head:  Tied 2-2

Preview – In a matchup featuring two teams that at the start of the season had high expectations placed upon them based on their play from the 08-09 season.  However with roster changes and injuries, both teams did not meet the lofty standards.  Splitting their regular season meetings, does not allow for much of a prediction for this affair, however based on their records against the other teams in the field, the nod leans towards the Falcons to come out of this one.  In the past, the Falcons relied on beating teams from the outside, however this season that load is a little more balanced as Andy Khaira has stepped up his game in the paint.  Harvey Brar has taken over the point guard reins this season, however beyond him, the backcourt depth is a tad thin.  The Wildcats have seen their role players step up into starters spots this season, led by Lee Craven and Dave Morris, who are averaging 20 and 18 points per game.  Both teams have the capability to move on to the second round, however based on their experience, the Falcons should be the ones still playing next week.

After running the WCBL gauntlet for sixteen straight games, the Nielsen Golgis perfect season came to an end on the seventeenth week in a 102-90 loss to the Runnin’ Rebels.  However the victory is like dating one of the Kardashian sisters, (ending up with either Khloe or Kourtney, not lucky enough to get Kim….the good looking one) as the Golgis were without James Kenyon, Jeff Dallin and Jim Martin.  Despite a shortened bench of their own, limiting the Golgis outside shooting and out rebounding their opponent by fifteen, the Rebels grabbed the lead during the final twenty minutes after the scoreboard see-sawed back and forth during the first half.  Led by Neb Aleksic’s 30 points and 11 rebounds, along with 17 apiece from Thomas Wan and Mike Whitehead, the Rebels finally managed to get a “W” over the Golgis, the one victory that eluded them throughout the entire season.  Randy Nohr continued his MVP worthy season with a game high 32 point, 8 assist outing, while Jason Leslie added 24 points and 11 boards.

With the Falcons dropping a default loss to the Wildcats earlier in the day, a 95-88 victory over Assault gives Nevermore new life in their hopes for a third place seeding entering playoffs in two weeks.  Trailing by one at the break and by as many as seven midway through the second half, Nevermore capitalized on a couple of what appeared to be questionable fouls against Assault late in the game.  With three players hitting the stat sheet for a double double, led by Dexter McKnight’s 21 points and 11 rebounds, and 16 points from Hunter Jordan, Nevermore managed to close the game with a 11-2 run.  The victory puts Nevermore into a tie for third place with the Falcons at 8-9, with the two teams scheduled to meet in the final week of the regular season next Sunday.  Randip Singh and Nate Corneau paced Assault with Singh posting 26 points and 5 assists, while Corneau contributed 23 points and 4 rebounds.

The Wildcats defeated the Falcons by forfeit.

For the first eighteen minutes of their meeting on Sunday, Assault not only managed to compete with the Nielsen Golgis, but surprisingly held the lead after a 9-2 run, spearheaded by Nate Corneau’s four three pointers in the first half. However the tide quickly turned back towards the league’s top seed as a 16-0 stretch closed out the first half 57-42. Marking the return of Jeff Dallin who had been out of the lineup due to a broken hand, suffered prior to the Christmas break, the Golgis posted four members of their roster with twenty plus points in a 126-106 victory. In spite of Randy Nohr’s second triple double of the season Jim Martin’s dunk attempt led the game’s highlight reel, as he attacked the basket for a two handed flush, only to have his momentum move the basket off it’s support and while swaying to the side, have the ball meraculously still to drop through as part of his 21 points.  Nate Corneau and Dwayne Harrison combined for eleven three pointers for Assault, with Corneau finishing with 30 points and Harrison adding 23.

As with the Golgis/Assault game, the difference in the battle between Nevermore and the Wildcats in the first half was a 11-2 Nevermore stretch to close out the first twenty minutes led by 21 of Hunter Jordan’s season high 33 points.  Although the “W” looked to be in the bag for Nevermore, the Wildcats mirrored Jordan’s first half effort with Peter Adam’s identical 21 of 33 in the second half to close the game to within as little as four points midway through the period.  Unable to match up with Nevermore’s size advantage on the boards, the Wildcats fell short on second chance opportunities and their comeback attempt with a 103-93 loss.  Tom Selak posted 28 points and 17 boards for Nevermore, while Dave Morris countered with 25 and 10 for the Wildcats.

Following the theme of the day of first half runs, the Rebels broke open a two point game into a seventeen point halftime lead with a 21-2.  For the first time since mid December, the Rebels featured a full roster as six of their eight players hit for double digit points including 11 from Mio Kovacevic and 10 from Srdj Vujovic.  Without any relevant point production from their inside game, the Falcons looked to beyond the three point line as Harvey Brar and TJ Rai combined to lead their team with seven three pointers and 38 points in the 100-72 loss.