While it took them a long time to get to their destination, the Heiltsuk Nation junior boys’ basketball team is hoping the journey will be well worth the effort.
After enduring the long trip from Bella Bella to Port Alberni, the highlight of the adventure being an eight-hour ferry ride, the team took to the court on Monday morning as one of the favorites in the 2012 BC Junior All-Native Basketball Championship.
They didn’t disappoint, coming away with a 66-29 victory over TFN Kings to open their challenge for the tournament title.
Tournament photos: http://www.hashilthsa.com/photos
Coming in as one of the favorites at this year’s event, Heiltsuk will rely on an up-tempo game to get the job done.
“They’re all super-fit,” said Heiltsuk coach Gord Gladstone after Monday’s opening-round win. “They work on their game vigorously. Our gym is open from nine in the morning until 11 at night.”
Heiltsuk’s game starts at the defensive end of the court where their aggressive style of play translates to some easy baskets at the other end of the floor. “Most of our starting five are about 6-feet tall, our 6-foot-4 guy is just new this year, so we run a running-post offense pretty much,” continued Gladstone. “If we can beat the other team down the floor we’re probably going to score.”
It’s not all about defensive though for Gladstone and his charges. The team has a wealth of offensive talent, but, as with their defense, it all stems from hard work.
“I just tell them if they want to get better they have to be in the gym on their own time,” said Gladstone. “Practice won’t make you better; it’s what you do on your own time that will help you improve.”
That and playing a vast number of games against a variety of opponents. The team, except for two of its players, also competes as Bella Bella Nation at the British Columbia Single-A high school level where they finished eleventh in the province this year.
They also compete against men’s teams, with all of these games played away from home.
“Our philosophy is we’ll show up to anybody’s gym for a game,” quipped Gladstone.
Asked about his team’s chances at the tournament, Gladstone felt his team’s rigorous schedule would play to their advantage.
“We generally play eight or nine games in seven days,” said Gladstone. “So we are used to what is required at this tournament.”
