Basketball BC Honor’s Past Champions

The 66th Annual BC “AAA” High School Championships are set to get underway with the opening tip-off set for March 15th at 11am.

Monday marked the media conference which was held in the new home of the event – the Langley Event’s Center.

Basketball has signed a three (3) year deal with the complex and while many are skeptical, I for one hope this venue proves very successful for several reasons.

First should be the location for teams travelling to the games, which means more hotels in the area.

This means closer places for the teams to eat and just maybe less traffic – if there is such a thing in the lower mainland.

President of Basketball BC, John Buis was on hand and in addition to making several introductions of past championship teams (of which he was on the 1971 Delta Huskies) he paid tribute to the team of 1960 and 1981 as well.

Stan Stewardson the Coach of the ND Huskies spoke about what basketball meant to the players then and what it should mean to today’s players taking part.

Former Delta resident and Assistant Coach of the National Women’s team was on hand to speak about what the sport brings to the area, the province and the youth.

He mentioned “staying focused and playing with a passion is imperative for any team to be successful and play at this level”.

He continued “there is an outside chance that the National Women’s team will be using facilities in Abbotsford to prepare for the upcoming games in Europe this summer”. Hopefully we will have more to report on that later on.

While Monday at noon was the press conference, followed by the Langley Chief’s hockey game, the change-over from hockey to basketball will take place following the hockey game.

I know that everyoen is hoping that it goes without a “hitch”.
Sportswave will be covering the BC Boy’s AAA High School “Championship all week long.

Named in the photo are (L to R) Dave Coutu – forward, Mike McNeill – guard, Stan Stewardson – Coach, Stu Graham – guard/forward, John Buis – forward.